Trauma Informed Justice: A Knowledge and Skills Framework for Working with Victims and Witnesses launched
Recent reports and the recommendations of the Lord Justice Clerk’s review group on the management of sexual offences highlighted ways in which witnesses’ experiences of trauma can be exacerbated by the justice process.
This recognised the importance of staff, across all organisations, having an understanding of the impact of trauma on witnesses, and the appropriate knowledge and skills to do no harm, minimise re-traumatisation and support recovery.
In response, NES was commissioned to develop a framework identifying the knowledge and skills required to achieve the aims above.
Over the past two years, the trauma workstream in the psychology directorate has developed the framework, in partnership with leaders of 15 justice organisations, and with 12 victims and witnesses, and from a wide range of evidence and literature reviews, and in consultation across the justice sector.
The framework was formally launched in Edinburgh on 3 May 2023 by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and The Lord Advocate. NES Chair David Garbutt and Dr Caroline Bruce, Head of Programme for Trauma also gave a keynote on behalf of NES.
There were 150 attendees from across the justice sector, with plenary contributions from leadership within The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Police Scotland, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS), Judicial Institute, and the Law Society of Scotland with their implementation plans.
Future implications
It is likely that NES will receive further funding to develop and deliver training to support the implementation of the framework in practice. NES has already developed and delivered a programme of training and resources to all high court judges in partnership with the Judicial Institute.
Dr Caroline Bruce, Head of Programme for Trauma in the Psychology Directorate said:
“The most serious offences are often also those that are most traumatic for victims and witnesses. Without recognising the impact that such offences can have, the justice process itself risks unwittingly introducing further harm and trauma, and victims say they are less likely to come forward.
"This framework identifies the different knowledge and skills that staff in different roles need in order to recognise and respond effectively to the impact of trauma on witnesses. It will support the creation of a trauma informed approach across all justice organisations and staff. This is a win win – for witnesses it will improve their experience and recovery, and for the justice process it will improve the quality of evidence witnesses are able to provide and their willingness to come forward.
“Over the last decade, our National Trauma Training Programme based in NES has supported better skills and understanding for staff in all walks of life. But before today, we’ve not had specific guidance on training for staff working in or around the justice sector.”
Go the the National Trauma Training Programme website to read the full Framework and Executive Summary.
Read Reducing re-traumatisation in justice system: new approach to better support victims and witnesses to find out more about the framework.
May, 30 2023