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)