Social Work in the Context of an Ongoing Security Threat: Role Description, Personal Experiences and Conceptualisation

In the wake of the recent increase in acts of terror and natural disasters, research literature has begun to focus more attention on situations in which trauma workers and their clients are simultaneously exposed to the same threat. However, less attention had been paid to the role of social workers in continuous shared traumatic situations. This article presents three case descriptions of events that emerged from social workers 'under fire'. The cases reveal that these situations oscillate from events that become routine, to events that combine extreme trauma and loss, and events that allow for the provision of assistance from broader elements of the community. The questions that emerged from the narratives call for rethinking and revision of conceptualisations of the role of social work and social work practitioners in war and emergency situations. To conclude, practical recommendations at all levels of intervention are offered.