Setting Boundaries and Self-Care

SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE LIAISON (SARL) AND

SAFETY AND SECURITY COORDINATOR (SSC)
TRAINING
SUMMER 2013

Session
Learning
Objective:
Develop
personal
strategies for
strengthening
resilience
through
setting
boundaries
and self-care.

What are Boundaries?

3

Personal boundaries: Guidelines, rules or limits

people set for themselves for:

Reasonable, safe and allowable ways for other
people to interact with them and for how they will
respond when someone steps outside those limits.

Professional boundaries: Effective and

appropriate interaction between professionals and

the people they serve.
Session Materials are in Tab 11 of your binders.

Negative Effects
Numbing defenses (e.g.,

avoidance, denial,
distancing)
Rage
Shame
Horror
Grief
Disturbed sleep
Anger
Fear
Nightmares

Flashbacks
Irritability
Anxiety
Alienation
Loss of control
Suicidal thoughts
Physical distress
Low self-esteem
Disturbing images

Resilience is
5

Ones ability to return to healthy functioning after

being in a stressful situation.

The power to cope with difficulty and to adapt to

challenges or change.

Core elements of resilience:

1. Self-knowledge and insight
2. Sense of hope
3. Healthy coping
4. Strong relationships
5. Personal perspective and meaning

Self-Knowledge and Insight

6

Positive self-esteem: Liking and respecting

yourself enough to be able to focus on the needs of

others instead of seeking others approval.

Strong inner locus of control: Recognizing that

you have the ability to influence many outcomes in

your life.

Independence: Making independent choices and

relying less on others to make decisions for you.

Self-Knowledge and Insight Strategies

7

Explore your motivation for working with Volunteers

who have been victims of crime.

Identify your own strengths and challenges.
Know your own values.
Recognize limits of control.
Tailor services provided to each Volunteer.

A Sense of Hope is
8

Belief that situations can get better.

Positive outlook, a belief that the future will be better

than the present or past.

Recognizing the difficulty of the experiences of the
Volunteers you serve, yet maintaining a positive view
toward lifes challenges.

Components of a sense of hope:

Optimism, the ability to see a solution.
Sense of humor and the ability to have fun!

Strategies for Developing a Sense of Hope

9

Develop opportunities to

succeed.
Practice gratitude.
Give praise.
Seek professional
development opportunities.
Decorate your office.
Find appropriate ways to
have fun.

Healthy Coping is
10

Balancing the negative aspects of work with positive

activities.

Paying attention to physical, emotional, mental, and

spiritual needs and doing something about them.

Components of healthy coping:

Using your skills and abilities.

Effective planning.
Addressing negativity proactively.
Using creativity.

Healthy Coping Strategies

11

Learn to identify how you react to stress.

Balance work with personal life.
Get enough sleep.
Use calming techniques.
Use technology and other resources wisely.

Strong Relationships
12

Belonging is a basic human need.

Create positive connections

with others.

Develop networks of

support.

Seek and give support to

others.

Strategies to Develop Strong Relationships

13

Build communication skills.

Collaborate with others.
Discuss cases when appropriate.
Foster a team approach.
Address conflict resolution proactively.
Strive to be genuine, empathetic, and warm.

Personal Perspective and Meaning

14

Personal points of viewweighing the costs and

benefits of supporting Volunteers.

Individual morality and spirituality.

Personal Perspective and Meaning

15

Strategies:
Know your personal values.
Find new meaning in your work.
Question old beliefs.
Engage in social activism.
Eliminate activities that are not in line with your

values.

Discuss with a Partner

16

What were your reactions to the 5 core

elements and strategies of resilience?

Which elements do you think vary

across cultures? How so?

What would you like to change in your

personal or professional life based on

the resilience elements?

Remember, the 5
elements were:
1. Self-knowledge and
insight
2. Sense of hope
3. Healthy coping
4. Strong relationships
5. Personal perspective
and meaning