When someone you know is experiencing whistleblower retaliation,allow the whistleblower to take the lead in their recovery. Let them talk about the retaliation on their own time schedule and remember that your role is to be supportive not therapeutic. Create a safe environment in which they can count on you—for “simply being there” or even for talking through the moment. Recognize that you are not going to FIX IT and there is nothing that you can do to erase the personal trauma of the retaliation. Listen without judgment, BELIEVE what the person is telling you about the Retaliation and leave analysis of the truth of the Whistleblower’s allegations to someone more qualified.

1. Recovery from Whistleblower Harass-
ment and Retaliation is all about MedicalWhistleblower.googlepages.com
T E L L I NG T R U TH T O
P O W E R IS H A R D — EMPOWERMENT and taking back what
#3
was lost through the
E M O T I O NA L L Y ,
P H Y S I C AL L Y A N D
F I N A N C IA L L Y
harassment experience.
Medical
If you or someone you know Whistleblower
needs assistance or informa-
tion, e-mail or leave a voice-
mail message and someone will
get back to you.
Whistleblowers should embody
the experience & make it their
own. Overcome their emotions &
work through the experience. When someone
Retake control of their life. Make a new start & you know is
embrace their power by networking with others
experiencing
and taking initiative and action.
M e d i c a l
Whistleblower
“What lies behind us and
what lies before us are tiny
W h i s t l e b l o w e r
Retaliation
matters compared to what Dr. Janet Parker, B.S., M.S., D.V.M.
lies within us.” Anonymous Medical Whistleblower
P.O. Box C “The greatest good you can do for another is
Lawrence, KS 66044
not just to share your riches but to reveal to
him his own.” Benjamin Disraeli
Phone: 360-809-3058
Fax: None
E-mail: MedicalWhistleblower@gmail.com

2. Encourage the person to get the help they feel they network—you also may need extra support and you
How Can You Help? need—whether that is to push must weigh your own thoughts, feelings, values,
for further investigation of the and beliefs around what the Whistleblower is ex-
Allow the whistleblower to take the lead in their whistleblower’s allegations, legal periencing.
recovery. Let them talk about the retaliation on representation, psychological
their own time schedule and remember that your counseling, going to Yoga or Self
role is to be supportive not therapeutic. Create a -Defense classes, moving to a
Common Reactions of
safe environment in which they can count on you— new state, disconnecting with “Time is the most valuable
thing one can spend.”
Whistleblowers to Retaliation
for “simply being there” or even for talking through their old social network, recon-
the moment. Recognize that you are not going to necting with their faith, learning
Anxiety and Fear
FIX IT and there is nothing that you can do to to meditate, learning a new hobby or pursuing a law Anger, Depression
erase the personal trauma of the retaliation. Listen degree —whatever. Flashbacks /Unwanted, Intrusive & Distressing Memo-
without judgment, BELIEVE what the person is
Let the Whistleblower take the lead in asking for re- ries of Retaliation Events
telling you about the Retaliation and leave analysis
ferrals and supportive advocacy because they are in Disorientation
of the truth of the Whistleblower’s allegations to
the best position to assess their own situation and
someone more qualified. Difficulty Concentrating
needs.
Validate their feelings of anger, pain, sadness, fear, Self-blame, Guilt
shame and accept the way the Whistleblower de- Vicarious Trauma
Shame
scribes that experience. Vicarious Trauma can occur to people trying to sup- Avoidance
The Retaliation will cause the Whistleblower to port the Whistleblower. Whistleblower Retaliation
Social Isolation
question whom to trust. In a number of different and Workplace Bullying can be devastating for the
Shutting down or Emotional numbing
ways relationships are the first thing to be impacted Whistleblower as well as his/her friends, family,
after retaliation has occurred. partners, room-mates, teachers, co-workers, social Physical health symptoms
workers, police officers, neighbors and any one at-
Remember that every person heals differently—at
tempting to provide support. Retaliation causes an
their own pace, in their own time, and follow their
array of emotions in even those supportive to the
own journey to recovery. M e d i c a l
Whistleblower. There are several ways in which you W h i s t l e b l o w e r
Avoid the “count your blessings” statements that can be supportive and help the Whistleblower facing
Medical Whistleblower Phone: 360-809-3058
may be heard as judgmental and possibly trivialize Retaliation but be aware that as a part of the support Dr. Janet Parker Fax: None
P.O.Box C E-mail: MedicalWhistleblower@gmail.com
what has happened. Lawrence, KS 66044