vota seminar series 2010

The Impact of Working with Sex Offenders: Vicarous Trauma

Wednesday 11 August 2010 ~ 9.00am - 12.30pm

Download and register now.

Aims of the Seminar

1. To provide participants a framework and strategies for developing resilience and self care plans.
2. For participants to have the opportunity for debriefing in a supportive environment with like minded professionals doing similar work.

Those who work with sexual abusers are frequently exposed to the victimisation of others. Given the nature of the work, professionals can be particularly vulnerable to the experience of vicarious traumatisation. Vicarious trauma is viewed as a normal reaction to extremely stressful work which comes at a high cost for both the individual and the workplace. Vicarious trauma impacts upon the physical and emotional health of the individual, which in turn affects their capacity to perform work tasks. This half day workshop is planned to be a fun and interactive way to identify sources of potential trauma. The workshop is formatted to allow participants the opportunity for debriefing and explores strategies for developing resilience and self-care plans.

Speakers

Dr Karen Owen PSM, MAPS, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Vicpsychplus

Karen has extensive experience and expertise working within the criminal justice system and currently works in private practice. Karen is an expert in the field of sex offender assessment and treatment. Additionally, she has been active in publishing, research, training and consultancy. Karen is a past Chair of VOTA, and was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in the 2007 Queens Birthday Honours for her work in sexual offender assessment, treatment and policy development. Previously she supervised a team of 20 staff at Corrections Victoria and for the last two years has been in private practice and has a wealth of experience in dealing with vicarious trauma issues with staff working in the field of sex offence treatment. 

Mr. William Wainwright, MAPS, Psychologist

William has significant experience working within the field of mental health, intellectual disability and youth with violent and sexual offending issues. William is the current Associate Chair of VOTA and has presented at a number of forensic based conferences over the past 10 years. William currently consults with Department of Human Services and Corrections Victoria around the assessment and intervention of sexual offenders with complex and multiple needs. Further to this William runs a private practice and consults for a variety of local councils and private companies in regards to critical incidents and trauma based issues.  

Location

Monash University Conference Centre
Level 7, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000

Getting There

Parking ~ Discount Parking is available at Wilson Platinum Parking, 30 Flinders lane, situated under the Sofitel Hotel Complex. Delegates must present their tickets to conference centre staff for validation to receive the discounted rates.

• Monday-Friday $11 per day

Public Transport ~ Public transport is easily accessible, Parliament Station is just a short walk from the Conference Centre. Trams run regularly along Collins Street, catch tram number 109 or 112 and depart at the Spring Street stop.
Morning tea will be provided.

Cost

Morning tea will be provided.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? - Community Correctional Officers, Department of Human Services Protective Workers, Police, Private Practitioners and others who are responsible for the case management of sex offenders in the community