Trauma among children and legal implications

Abstract

Trauma is a public health crisis that is increasingly growing and spreading into every facet of our communities, including our school systems, prison systems, and medical systems. When children experience trauma, the impact can have lasting and negative effects that can influence daily functioning. Considering the Constructivist Self-Development Theory (CSDT) assertion that a child’s perception of the self and the world may be changed following a trauma, it is important that continuity of care is trauma-informed, in that professionals interacting with children who experienced trauma are actively working to not induce further or seeking to minimize additional stressors that may occur in these contexts. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide on how to create a trauma-informed care community when specifically working with children. To accomplish this task, trauma is first defined. Next the effects of trauma on children are explained. A summary of implications for the forensic interviewing process and for a trauma-informed court system is provided.