PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
After a jury has handed down a verdict, city judges pass out information on ways to cope with what they\u2019ve witnessed, especially if they witnessed secondary trauma in homicide or sex assault cases.<\/p>\n
Pat Martin, Philadelphia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cCases 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,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe overall hope is to provide jurors with an outlet, if they need it. We hope it doesn\u2019t come to that, but it\u2019s there. I compare it to a first aid kit. It\u2019s up on the shelf, it\u2019s there if you need it. You don\u2019t really want to use it, but it\u2019s there if you need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said it\u2019s not a full-service therapy session, but rather extra support and someone who can talk through what that juror may have witnessed.<\/p>\n
Several suburban counties are developing their own versions, although none of the programs are funded by the state.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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