header-logo header-logo

25 February 2021 / Felicity Gerry KC
Issue: 7922 / Categories: Features , In Court , Training & education
printer mail-detail

Trauma-informed courts (Pt 2)

40733
Felicity Gerry QC provides some practical considerations for trauma-informed court practices
  • The pervasiveness of trauma can create acute challenges for the criminal justice system; a number of practical changes can be implemented to help develop a trauma-informed approach for the benefit of all court users.

‘Trauma informed care is not an evidence-based intervention with fidelity measures and clearly outlined strategies, nor is there a single definition’ (Yatchmenoff D et al, ‘Implementing Trauma-Informed Care: Recommendations on the Process’, 2017 Advances in Social Work 18(1):167).

This is the second in a two-part series on trauma-informed courts. Part 1 suggested that courts taking a trauma-informed approach is an integral aspect of procedural fairness and any failure to do so impacts on court integrity (see ‘Trauma-informed courts (Pt 1)'). This Part 2 provides practical proposals for trauma-informed practices, some of which are already developing in the context of human trafficking.

Introduction

Trauma-informed care is now recognised across most health and human services systems. Providers are calling for concrete examples of

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clyde & Co—Suriya Ashok

Clyde & Co—Suriya Ashok

Clyde Co strengthens energy transition and construction offering with hire of Suriya Ashok

Jurit—Nicole Gallop Mildon

Jurit—Nicole Gallop Mildon

Jurit appoints rare dual-qualified lawyer to expand Anglo-French private wealth expertise

NEWS
The Financial Reporting Council’s revised Audit Enforcement Procedure will alter the balance of power in corporate investigations
A telecoms operator may be able to hold over under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, yet still be unable to secure a renewal: an outcome described as a legal ‘paradox’

Safety fears do not automatically justify shutting an interested person out of a statutory will application

Consumer credit law is heading for its biggest shake-up in 50 years, with the Consumer Credit Act 1974 set to yield much of its detailed statutory machinery to FCA rules
The Supreme Court has settled a long-running dispute over part-time workers: unfavourable treatment need be a significant or effective cause, not the sole cause
back-to-top-scroll