Secondary Trauma Exposure of Women Activists in Women's Organisations

This article aims to examine the exposure to secondary traumatisation of women who carry out activism in women's organisations. In this context, women who carry out activism in women's organisations operating in Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin were interviewed. Qualitative research method was used in the study. Within the scope of the research, 21 women's rights activists were interviewed. Purposive sampling technique was used in sample selection. MAXQDA qualitative data analysis programme was used for the analysis. The findings were analysed by interpretative phenomenological analysis method. According to the main findings of the research, it was concluded that activists carry out activism in an environment that can lead to secondary traumatisation, that secondary trauma affects their physical health as well as their mental health, and that professional therapeutic support as well as community support and social support mechanisms are very effective for the treatment of secondary trauma. It is seen that community solidarity and social support mechanisms are very important for activists to cope with this situation. It was also emphasised that activists should be encouraged to spare time for themselves and to establish their own self-care routines. It was stated that training programmes and awareness raising activities can help activists to recognise the symptoms of secondary trauma and develop coping strategies.