Working with Victims of Persecution: Lessons from Holocaust Survivors

Abstract

It is estimated that 25 to 30 million people are forced to leave their homes because of human rights violations or threats to their lives. Such massive dislocations at the international level result in significant numbers of diverse, persecuted populations seeking asylum in the United States. It is estimated that as many as 400,000 victims of torture now reside in the United States, with many survivors suffering in silence. The challenge for social workers is to discover this often hidden, vulnerable population and to serve them. Among all the populations experiencing the trauma and stress of persecution, most is know about Holocaust survivors. Through examining the long-term effects of massive psychic trauma gleaned from research on Holocaust survivors and their children, this article addresses the skills, techniques, and insights about current refugee populations that can be incorporated into social work practice and training.

Which Language Does PTSD Speak? The “Westernization” of Mr. Sánchez

“…The debate regarding past orientation versus future focus after massive trauma still reverberates in Israeli mental health treatment of Holocaust survivors. Cultural and professional norms of "a conspiracy of silence," refraining from "opening Pandora's boxes" and "letting the past be the past" prevailed for many years, but has been revisited and gradually revised, mostly when the second generation came of age (Auerhahn, Laub, & Peskin, 1993;Danieli, 1988;Levine, 2001).…”

Aged care managers' perceptions of staff preparedness for caring for older survivors of genocide and mass trauma in Australia: How prepared are aged care workers?

“…The need for an aged care workforce that is well prepared for working with older survivors is highlighted by evidence that interactions with care and support staff can be extremely distressing for these clients, and that care professionals tend to find providing caring for this client group challenging . Findings of this study indicated that staff were perceived by their managers to be underprepared for providing care for older survivors.…”

“…Caring for older survivors, especially those living with dementia, may be more challenging than for clients who did not experience early life trauma . Care professionals have suggested that staff members are often ill‐prepared for caring for these clients .…”

Caring for older people with dementia reliving past trauma

“…These negative emotional expressions, which could include being aggressive, were challenging for NAs to handle when they occurred. 28,30,52 In many situations in the care of a PWD, these memory-triggers (Reminiscence) are seen as a very important tool to connect with the PWD through life memories. 53 Several studies suggest that alternative methods, for example, a therapy dog, 54 tactile stimulation, 55 caregivers singing, 56 and therapeutic and person-centred conversations, 57 are ways to reach reminiscence and person-centredness.…”