A Trauma-Informed Approach to Court: An Exploratory Research Project (2023-2024)
Building on the work of the 2022-2023 project team, this team sought to understand whether judges’ employment of trauma-informed methods improves outcomes for youth who are court-involved.
Across two years, team members utilized court observations and surveys to investigated four key questions:
- What are North Carolina judges’ attitudes related to trauma-informed practice?
- How do judges respond to trauma education?
- In what ways are judges practicing trauma-informed practice in NC juvenile delinquency court?
- How do youth experience court?
The team drafted several papers on their findings for publication and their work has the potential to shape judicial education and motivate judges to transform their courtrooms.
Learn more about the team’s work by reading their team profile.
Timing
Summer 2023 – Summer 2024
Team Outputs
Publications in peer reviewed journals (under review)
Publications in Judicature, a scholarly journal published by Bolch Judicial Institute
Training materials for judicial actors
Trauma-Informed Care in Court: An Exploratory Research Project (Poster presented at Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 17, 2024; Winner, Bass Connections Showcase Poster Competition)
Trauma-Informed Courts: A Public Health Approach to Juvenile Justice (Lightning talk by Anya Milberg and Jade Terry at Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 17, 2024)
Trauma-Informed Care in Court (Team Profile; 2024 Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Virtual Showcase)
This Team in the News
“Trauma Informed Care In Court” Wins 2024 Bass Connections Poster Competition
Two Graduate Students Honored for Their Exceptional Mentorship
Bass Connections Team Finishes Court Observation Phase of Trauma-Informed Courts Research Project
See earlier related team, Trauma-Informed Courts: A Public Health Approach to Juvenile Justice (2022-2023).
Image: Judge Hammer, by ssalonso, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Team Leaders
- Catherine Gorey, Duke Law–JD Student
- Eva McKinsey, Applied Social and Community Psychologist-Independent Research Scholar
- Amelia Thorn, Duke Law
/graduate Team Members
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Ebani Dhawan, Bioethics and Sci Policy - AM
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Emily Fung, Juris Doctor
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Jade Terry, Psychology-PHD
/undergraduate Team Members
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Lauren Allen, Psychology (AB)
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Cassandra Ameen, Public Policy Studies (AB)
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Tess Bierly
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Grace Davis
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Kaitlyn Hanson, Psychology (BS)
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Ana Herndon, Public Policy Studies (AB)
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Minjee Kim, Public Policy Studies (AB)
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Hanna Lavi
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Anya Milberg
/zcommunity Team Members
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NC Administrative Office of the Courts
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NC Chief Justice’s Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts (Adverse Childhood Experiences)