Training Session with Journalists

On June 3rd 2022, in Hanoi, the Hagar Vietnam team organized a training session on “Trauma and trauma sensitivity in the media.” The objective of the event was to provide knowledge about psychological trauma and trauma sensitivity in the media, Hagar communication policy and the gender-based violence prevention project in Nghe An and Yen Bai provinces.

By using real stories in the media, a Hagar trainer shared and helped journalists better identify and understand about trauma and re-trauma. The trainer also emphasized the importance of communication on public beliefs and behaviors, and the positive and negative effects of the media on the trauma recovery of people experiencing gender-based violence. At the workshop, journalists expressed the challenges facing the media regarding how to be trauma and gender-sensitive while simultaneously engaging with readers. They acknowledged that stories that contain violence and trauma often attract readers!

A Hagar Vietnam staff member wrote of the day:

“Re-trauma was an interest topic to journalists. Many reporters said they did not know how to give psychological first aid when they were interviewed when the violence survivors cried, froze or avoided. By explaining the mechanism of re-trauma, the trainer helped them understand the reasons and signs of re-trauma, thereby accepting the symptoms and preparing for the interview.”

At the end of the training, journalists had learnt a lot. Some of the feedback received by Hagar included:

“I receive a lot of new information and gain access to new perspectives. I will be testing this approach with several groups that are working on community projects on mental health.”

“Understanding trauma helps me think more about humanistic articles. I will report and write articles to minimize the risk of trauma / re-trauma for the character.”

“The training session is a great space for me to learn many meaningful things from the lecturers who are colleagues. I hope Hagar continues the activities for journalists to join hands in the prevention of gender-based violence.”