It’s definitely a factor to be aware of. We are legally not allowed to be exposed to image content, as developers, but personally I do have some exposure to text content as part of my role. Thorn has an excellent support / wellness system, with professional counselors, in place though for proactively staying healthy and processing what exposure we do experience.
I’m very glad they have such a good support network. A close friend of mine got a job out of law school prosecuting child sex crimes, and there was absolutely no support. After a year, he couldn’t take it any more and left public service altogether. Even a decade later, you can tell he’s still bothered by it. I have an incredible amount of respect for people who can do that work; I’m absolutely certain that I don’t have what it takes.
Definitely, I think support is crucial. I work around people who have victim ID experience (reviewing abuse material with the goal of locating children) and strongly share your respect. It’s so impactful in the lives of the victims, but you are exposed to a very dark side of humanity and are unlikely to know the eventual outcomes of the children’s lives.
