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

Gateley Legal—Caroline Pope & Bob Maynard

Gateley Legal—Caroline Pope & Bob Maynard

Construction team bolstered by hire of senior consultant duo

Switalskis—four appointments

Switalskis—four appointments

Firm expands residential conveyancing team with quadruple appointment

mfg Solicitors—Claire Pope

mfg Solicitors—Claire Pope

Private client team welcomes senior associatein Worcester

NEWS
The controversial Mazur ruling, which caused widespread uncertainty about the role of non-solicitors in litigation work, has been overturned on appeal
Two landmark social media cases in the US could influence social media regulation in the UK, lawyers predict
Barristers have urged the government to set up Nightingale-style specialist courts, with jury trials, to prioritise rape, sexual assault and domestic abuse trials
Victims of violent crimes who suffer life-changing injuries receive less than half the financial support today than those in the 1990s, according to a senior personal injury lawyer
Rising numbers of cases, an increase in litigants in person and an overall lack of investment is piling pressure on the family court, the Law Society has warned
back-to-top-scroll