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The New Social Worker is the quarterly magazine for social work students and recent graduates, focusing on social work careers for those new to the profession. This blog is a companion to the free online magazine at http://www.socialworker.com.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Smoke and mirrors

I SAT ON THE OTHER SIDE of the mirror, observing an interview between a counselor and a victim of sexual abuse. I was at a private center that provides a safe site for videotaping investigative interviews with kids who have been sexually or severely physically abused, or who have witnessed violence. My charge: to take notes for a case manager who couldn't leave the office to attend this forensic interview.

The volume on the computer was turned down so low I had difficulty hearing the young person's voice. The counselor's words were as clear as the ringing of a bell. Luckily she did a lot of echoing back to her young client. I found a volume control on the speaker and cranked it up as loud as it went. Still the child's words were mere mumblings.

I finally got up out of the chair I'd been sitting in -- in the tiny little room that held the video equipment and computer -- and sat down on the floor where I could both hear the counselor and read the child's lips. I didn't want to miss a thing.

After the family left, the counselor and I sat on a couch and discussed the case. I stayed at the center until 8 p.m. (I had arrived at 3:20 p.m.)

I am exhausted. And I feel honored to have been allowed to witness this process.

~Ms. T. J.

4 comments:

  1. Wow they really have just tossed you right in.  It's truly amazing to read what you are doing TJ.  please protect them all for those of us who can't handle that work!

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  2. I counseled victims of sexual violence for 7 years and it was always a priviledge to witness their stories. Continue the great work!

    http://www.socialworkerdiana.com/

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  3. Thanks for reading my blog, Amy Rose. I appreciate your feeedback.
    ~Ms. T. J.

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  4. Thanks, Diana. I will check out your blog.  Your work is so importnat!
    ~Ms. T. J.

    ReplyDelete

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