This study aimed to extend previous research on the experiences and factors that impact law enforcement personnel when working with distressing materials such as child sexual abuse content. A sample of 22 law enforcement personnel working within one law enforcement organisation in England, United Kingdom participated in anonymous semi-structured interviews. Results were explored thematically and organised in the following headings: “Responses to the material”, “Impact of working with distressing evidence”, “Personal coping strategies” and “Risks and mitigating factors”. Law enforcement professionals experienced heightened affective responses to personally relevant material, depictions of violence, victims’ displays of emotions, norm violations and to various mediums. These responses dampened over time due to desensitisation. The stress experienced from exposure to the material sometimes led to psychological symptoms associated with Secondary Traumatic Stress. Job satisfaction, self-care activities, the coping strategies used when viewing evidence, detachment from work outside working hours, social support and reducing exposure to the material were found to mediate law enforcement professionals’ resilience. Exposure to distressing material and the risks associated with this exposure were also influenced by specific organisational procedures implemented as a function of the funding available and workload. Recommendations for individual and organisational practices to foster resilience emerged from this research. These recommendations are relevant to all organisations where employees are required to view distressing content.

本研究旨在扩展之前关于影响执法人员处理儿童性虐待内容等令人痛苦的材料时的经验和因素的研究。英国英格兰一个执法组织内工作的 22 名执法人员样本参与了匿名半结构化访谈。结果按主题进行了探讨，并按以下标题组织：“对材料的反应”、“处理令人痛苦的证据的影响”、“个人应对策略”和“风险和缓解因素”。执法专业人员对个人相关材料、暴力描述、受害者的情绪表现、违反规范行为和各种媒介的情感反应更加强烈。由于脱敏，这些反应随着时间的推移而减弱。接触这些材料所经历的压力有时会导致与继发性创伤应激相关的心理症状。研究发现，工作满意度、自我保健活动、查看证据时使用的应对策略、工作时间之外脱离工作、社会支持和减少接触材料可以调节执法专业人员的复原力。接触令人痛苦的材料以及与这种接触相关的风险也受到根据可用资金和工作量而实施的特定组织程序的影响。这项研究提出了个人和组织增强复原力实践的建议。这些建议适用于所有要求员工查看令人痛苦的内容的组织。