EFFECTS OF SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS (STS) AND BURNOUT AMONGTHE JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES

Abstract

The Judiciary is responsible for fair and efficient administration of justice. Due to adjudication
of cases involving traumatized clients, judges and magistrates may get vicariously traumatized
and hence suffer from STS which may impact negatively on their capacity to execute duties
effectively. The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of secondary traumatic
stress and burn out among the judges and magistrates and identify the factors contributing to
acute stress, the effect of STM in determining cases, making rulings and directing the trials. The
main findings of the research were a variety of job demands, such as judges’ heavy workloads
and time constraints, emotional demands and secondary traumatic stresses a result of their work,
negative work–home interference and their safety concerns which have a negative effect on their
well-being. Despite the stressors and occupational demands, some of them judges experiences
high levels of well-being because of, inter alia, the autonomy they had over certain aspects of
their work, the nature of their work and positive relationships with their colleagues and family.
The research recommended comprehensive strategies not only to recognize that judicial stress is
real but measures that can reduce the same. The call is for the judicial officers to remain
proactive in mitigating and managing the same.