PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A mental health services program designed to support Philadelphia jurors who may experience vicarious trauma is expected to expand statewide by the end of September.
After a jury has handed down a verdict, city judges pass out information on ways to cope with what they’ve witnessed, especially if they witnessed secondary trauma in homicide or sex assault cases.
Pat Martin, Philadelphia’s Jury Commissioner, said since the program rolled out in April, a handful of jurors have reached out for help, including one following a child sex assault case.
“Cases that are like homicide or sexual assault cases where the juror may have heard the testimony or seen pictures that is still sitting with them after the trial is over,” Martin said.
“The overall hope is to provide jurors with an outlet, if they need it. We hope it doesn’t come to that, but it’s there. I compare it to a first aid kit. It’s up on the shelf, it’s there if you need it. You don’t really want to use it, but it’s there if you need it.”
He said it’s not a full-service therapy session, but rather extra support and someone who can talk through what that juror may have witnessed.
Several suburban counties are developing their own versions, although none of the programs are funded by the state.
Massachusetts was the first state to roll out a program like this in 2001. Since then, Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, and now Pennsylvania have followed suit.
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