|
|
 |
|
TIP of SW Riverside County is a chapter of
the
Trauma
Intervention Program Inc. (TIP), a national
non-profit organization founded in 1985. TIP has 15 affiliates
serving over 250 cities across the nation. Each affiliate,
citizen volunteers respond to traumatic incidents at the request
of Police, Fire and Hospital personnel to support those who are
emotionally traumatized. TIP has received the prestigious
Innovations Award in State and Local government from Harvard
University and Ford Foundation, Crime Victim Service Award from
the US Justice Department and the Governor's Victim Service
Award from the State of California.
The SW Riverside County Chapter of TIP Inc. was founded in 1993.
There are currently 50 volunteers serving
eight (8)jurisdictions, five
(5) hospitals and four (4) public safety agencies.
The Chapter receives support and guidance from a local Advisory
Committee. TIP is a group of specially trained volunteers who
provide emotional aid and practical support to victims of
traumatic events and their families in the first few hours
following a tragedy.
TIP Volunteers are available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. They are called by police officers,
firefighters, paramedics, and hospital personnel to assist
family members and friends following a natural or unexpected
death; victims of violent crime including rape, assault,
robbery, or burglary; victims of fire; disoriented or lonely
elderly persons; people involved in motor vehicle accidents;
people who are distraught and seeking immediate support; and
survivors of suicide.
|
A major reason for the TIP Program is to
prevent what mental health professionals call the “Second
Injury.” The Second Injury is a victim’s perspective
that the emergency system did not provide the support needed
after a tragic event. Emergency personnel simply do not have
the time to provide this support. In Orange County, they
call TIP Volunteers who can prevent a second injury.
In parts of the county which do not have a TIP Program,
second injuries reported by victims are common. Three Examples of Second Injuries
-
An elderly gentleman, whose wife was
hit and killed in a crosswalk, was not informed why she
was left in the street for hours. To this day, the
husband is still angry at “the system.”
-
After a young man killed himself, his
family was left to clean the bloody scene on their own.
To this day, they wonder “why didn’t anyone help us with
this awful task?”
-
After a mother of four died in an
emergency department, her family felt pressed by busy
hospital staff into choosing a mortuary. To this
day, the family regrets the hurried decision they made.
These are just a sample of the terrible
things that can happen to victims in the aftermath of a tragic
event. One of TIP’s main goals is to help prevent these second
injuries from happening. TIP volunteers are trained to step in
to work with staff and responders. For example, victims are
given information as to how to contact crime scene cleanup
companies and other community services. TIP volunteers also help
protect victims against well-meaning friends who mistakenly say
the wrong things.
To learn more about the Trauma Intervention
Intervention Programs (TIP), visit
the TIPNational
website. |
|
|
