Vicarious trauma does not impact everyone equally. Journalists from marginalized backgrounds including Dalit, minority, and LGBTQ+ reporters are at a significantly higher risk of psychological injury, particularly when they must verify targeted violence against their own communities.

The Bharat Media Association highlights that this creates severe risks for retraumatization. Media houses must exercise extreme empathy, ensuring diverse reporters are never forced to continuously monitor graphic hate crimes directed at their own identities without extensive support systems.