The Australian Psychological Society (APS) welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Select Committee on Anti-Corruption Legislation about the impact of shame and reputational damage on an individual’s psychological health in the context of a public hearing.
In the submission, the APS noted that shame and reputational damage can be incredibly harmful, with those impacted at risk of serious, long term and life-threatening mental health conditions.
We identified three key recommendations:
- Treat inquiry participants in a ‘trauma-informed’ manner to help ensure that anyone who is suffering from the damaging effects of reputational damage and/or humiliation is not ‘retraumatised’ during the subsequent investigations and inquiry process.
- Regard for the mental health and welfare of participants during public hearings should be informed by psychological best practices, such as trauma debriefing, particularly when a high level of media interest is expected.
- That appropriate measures be taken to protect the reputation of participants in hearings, particularly those who may unexpectedly find themselves caught up in an investigation by virtue of their employment with or for an individual or organisation being investigated.
View submission