| Summary: | This research thesis evaluates existing literature which considers whether offenders who commit violent crime experience psychological trauma as a direct result of their behaviour (‘offence related trauma’). It further explores the experiences of professionals working with such offenders who experience ‘offence related trauma’. Chapter one is a literature review examining ten empirical studies which investigated whether offenders who commit violent crime were traumatised by their actions. The findings revealed that a significant number of offenders experienced ‘offence related trauma’. However, due to methodological limitations these findings need to be considered. The results do pose significant clinical implications for the assessment and treatment of ‘offence related trauma’. Chapter two is an empirical study conducted in a low and medium secure unit which explored the experience of professionals, including those undertaking professional training, working with violent offenders traumatised by their actions. Six professionals participated in the study and the data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three super-ordinate themes emerged from the data; ‘psychological resilience of professionals’, ‘barriers to engagement’ and ‘managing offence related trauma’. These findings are integral to the application of clinical supervision, staff training and the recovery of offenders. The findings are discussed in detail as well as the clinical implications, limitations and areas for future research. Chapter three offers a reflective account of a novice researcher conducting empirical research and explores the parallel process between participant and researcher. Methodological limitations and ethical dilemmas are also discussed together with the professional and personal impact of this research.
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