Being on a jury is rewarding, but it can be demanding. Listening to a victim’s story, viewing evidence, or reading a graphic report can bring up many different feelings. While most jury duty is a low-stress experience, certain experiences are more likely to produce higher levels of stress and contribute to symptoms of vicarious trauma.
What is Vicarious Trauma?
Vicarious trauma describes the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual effects a person may suffer after witnessing or hearing about someone else’s trauma. These feelings are common, natural, and often go away over time. But when they linger, they can impact our daily lives.
This brochure provides information about symptoms and techniques to cope and manage those feelings.
Vicarious trauma can show itself in different ways as each person has their own unique jury experience and emotional response. It helps to be aware of the symptoms and coping strategies. If symptoms begin to cause difficulty in your daily life, please reach out to a professional.