When journalists experience vicarious trauma
Welcome back! After a couple of weeks filled with their real jobs, travel, concerts, receptions, and general craziness, Kim & Kirsta are thrilled to bring you this week’s episode and special guest.
The gals sat down with investigative journalist Anastasiya Bolton after many months of planning this interview, and all we can say is “wow”. This is a must-listen for any aspiring journalist, writer, or person who consumes any sort of news media. So yes, basically everyone. Listen as Anastasiya talks about how journalists experience vicarious trauma through the stories they cover, the victims they meet, and the weight their hearts carry forever.
LASKI Interview: Life As Anastasiya Knows It
Anastasiya Bolton is an award-winning journalist covering Crime and Justice for 9NEWS in Denver, Colorado.
A native of Moscow, Russia, she moved to the United States to attend college. After graduation from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Anastasiya started working overnights at Texas Cable News in Dallas writing and editing. She also worked in Amarillo and Tyler, Texas, as well as Birmingham, Ala.
She covered the Aurora theater shooting in July 2012 and followed the survivors and victims over the course of the year. In June 2013, she went to her first home – Russia – to do pre-Sochi Olympic coverage for the entire Gannett media group.
In her free time, Anastasiya enjoys traveling, skiing, reading and occasionally cooking. VERY occasionally.
Links referenced in this episode:
A recent crazy tractor chase through downtown Denver: https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/downtown-tractor-chase-suspect-also-might-have-stolen-lakewood-car-police-say/73-576635544
The ‘I Love You Guys’ foundation in remembrance of Emily Keyes: http://iloveuguys.org/
Anastasiya’s interview with Jessica Ridgeway’s mother 5 years after her death: https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/5-years-after-tragedy-jessica-ridgeways-mom-welcomes-baby-girl/73-500820600
Anastasiya’s editorial on covering mass shootings: https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/commentary-im-an-expert-in-mass-shootings/73-522211061
The massacre in Annapolis: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/07/02/police-annapolis-suspected-killer-sent-threatening-letters-day-shooting/753509002/
The following are a few resources on vicarious trauma, including how it relates to the workplace:
https://dartcenter.org/resources/handling-traumatic-imagery-developing-standard-operating-procedure
https://firstdraftnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vicarioustrauma.pdf
https://medium.com/1st-draft/new-guide-offers-dialogue-and-guidance-on-vicarious-
