Overview: Trauma is highly prevalent, particularly among individuals who have experienced sexual, domestic, or interpersonal violence. These experiences can significantly impact an individual’s physical and mental health, often resulting in feelings of powerlessness, fear, hopelessness, and heightened states of alertness.

Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engagement that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and acknowledges the role it may play in an individual’s life and behavior. When attorneys and court related professionals adopt a trauma informed approach, they are better equipped to understand how trauma influences communication, decision making, memory, and participation in the legal process. This training emphasizes the application of trauma informed practices within legal settings, including client interactions, case strategy, and courtroom engagement.

Becoming trauma informed involves examining and, when appropriate, modifying policies, practices, and professional interactions to ensure they are responsive to the needs of trauma survivors. This approach enhances professional effectiveness, supports ethical practice, and promotes a court environment that is both responsive and respectful of those impacted by trauma.

Training Purpose: This training is designed to provide attorneys and court professionals with a foundational understanding of trauma and its widespread impact. Participants will explore how trauma affects individuals across multiple domains of functioning and gain practical strategies for integrating trauma informed approaches into legal practice and court related interactions.

Training Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

Develop a foundational understanding of trauma, traumatic stress, and its prevalence among victim populations

Recognize the impact of trauma exposure on brain and body functioning, including key concepts related to the neurobiology of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Apply trauma informed practices and strategies within legal settings to enhance interactions with survivors and support victim safety and engagement

Increase awareness of survivor experiences and relevant case law that may be utilized to support and protect victims

Build empathy through experiential activities, including the Crime Survivor Star Activity

Identify and make appropriate referrals to trauma informed services and supports

Recognize the impact of secondary trauma on professionals and implement strategies to mitigate its effects