Special Report: Trauma-Informed Services

Trauma-informed practice emerged from extensive research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the evidence-based link between experiencing traumatic events in childhood and later involvement in crime and violence.

Research by Maynard et al (2019) shows that trauma can impact social, emotional, physical, neurological, and behavioural development, and as such, is related to outcomes such as substance abuse, behaviour problems in schools, academic performance, emotional regulation difficulties, and mental health problems.

The same research found that in responding to trauma-induced negative behaviours in a way that acknowledges trauma and its impact, a system can help to reduce this negative behaviour and prevent later crime and violence. It recognises that standard interventions can re-traumatise a young person and lead to further behavioural issues. For example, if a child or young person has experienced physical abuse in the home and is then subjected to physical restraints in a secure setting, re-traumatisation may occur. This creates a cycle and the behavioural response to trauma is never addressed and may worsen.