Supporting Those Who Love the Loathed: Trauma-Informed Support Groups for Family Members of Registered Sex Offenders

Social workers are typically empathic, but it can be challenging to offer compassionate care to those who harmed others and, by extension, to the people who love them. This article describes a trauma-informed support group intervention for family members of individuals required to register as sex offenders (RSOs). We begin with a brief overview of this unique population, review the empirical research exploring family members’ needs and the services available to them, and introduce the trauma-informed framework for our support group. We will then describe the group’s development and dynamics. Finally, we will highlight trauma-informed practice skills and tools for facilitating effective and empowering support services with this hidden and stigmatized population.