Statistics continue to show that a majority of the youth that come into contact with the criminal justice system have been exposed to trauma. In fact studies indicate over 90% of delinquent youth have experienced a traumatically stressful life event. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) states, “Children and adolescents who come into the court system frequently have experienced not only chronic abuse and neglect, but also exposure to substance abuse, domestic violence and community violence.” This exposure and a child’s response to trauma color their behavior and it is this behavior, not the lens created by it that juvenile justice professionals, such as law enforcement come into contact with when out in the field. That is why it is important to have an understanding of childhood trauma and its effects if you want to have more appropriate and effective interactions with youth. Although directed at judges, NCTSN summarizes this point well, “By understanding the impact of trauma on children’s development, beliefs, and behaviors, judges can become more effective in addressing the unique needs and challenges of traumatized children and adolescents involved in the juvenile and family court system.”
Child Trauma Stress Reactions
Traumatic events experienced in childhood affect development in a number of ways, including adversely affecting the brain, nervous and endocrine systems. They also impair many aspects of psychosocial development. Gaining social skills, emotional regulation and respect for societal institutions and expectations are often altered negatively. Many of the children whose behavior puts them in front of law enforcement suffer from post-traumatic stress often to the point of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). NCTSN offers a helpful guideline to common traumatic stress reactions broken down by age.
Young Children (Birth – 5 years old)
- Withdrawal and passivity
- Exaggerated startle response
- Aggressive outbursts
- Sleep difficulties (including night terrors)
- Separation anxiety
- Fear of new situations
- Difficulty assessing threats and finding protection (especially in cases where a parent or caretaker was aggressor)
- Regression to previous behaviors (e.g., baby talk, bed-wetting, crying)
School-age Children (6-12 years old)
- Abrupt and unpredictable shifts between withdrawn and aggressive behaviors
- Social isolation and withdrawal (may be an attempt to avoid further trauma or reminders of past trauma)
- Sleep disturbances that interfere with daytime concentration and attention
- Preoccupation with the traumatic experience(s)
- Intense, specific fears related to the traumatic event(s)
Adolescents (13-18 years old)
- Increased risk taking (substance abuse, truancy, risky sexual behaviors)
- Heightened sensitivity to perceived threats (may respond to seemingly neutral stimuli with aggression or hostility)
- Social isolation (belief that they are unique and alone in their pain)
- Withdrawal and emotional numbing
- Low self esteem (may manifest as a sense of helplessness or hopelessness)
Out on the Street
How can first responders faced with dealing with the immediacy of a situation incorporate this information and make a difference from the very first contact? First, by understanding what it means to be trauma-informed. Agencies are trauma-informed when they have policies and procedures in place that make their organization safer and more effective by ensuring the physical and psychological safety of all youth, family members, and staff and promoting their recovery from the adverse effects of trauma. NCTSN goes on to say that “juvenile justice policies and procedures are trauma-informed when they establish—at every level in the organization—a culture that (1) recognizes the adverse effects of trauma on youth, families and staff; (2) that requires and supports operational practices that consistently prevent further traumatization; and (3) that supports healing and recovery of all trauma-affected individuals in the organization. Patrol officers are essential to establishing trauma-informed policing in their area. Here are three ways to make that happen:
Consider your tactics
Limit harsh practices such as restraint, seclusion and shackling to circumstances in which they are demonstrably necessary and effective. Is there a way to enter into an interaction with a youth that supports officer and community safety, while at the same time, protecting the individual? Obviously, each officer will be the best judge for what tactic needs to occur in each situation but a trauma-informed officer will understand the effect of trauma on behavior and have tools in his or her toolbox that can help mitigate.
Know how to develop a safety plan
This may be something that seems like psychobabble but unfortunately so much of what could be happening in a therapist’s office spills into the street and falls at the feet of law enforcement. How many situations have you encountered where you were required to deal with a situation that would have better been served by a mental health professional? Probably a lot. Officers are required to wear that hat more and more. Law enforcement agencies are also learning how helpful it can be to have some skills to wear it effectively. When a child is in crisis they need to be brought back into the present moment. This helps take them out of their limbic (reptilian) brain and back into the rational (prefrontal cortex) brain. Next, identify coping strategies and support systems. Often getting them to contract for safety can help them identify what they can do to manage their trauma responses and who they can turn to when they feel they cannot manage on their own.
Promote partnerships
I cannot say this enough. Juvenile justice professionals must work together if we want to make a difference in the lives of children. Promoting cross-system (law enforcement child welfare, social services, mental health, etc) collaboration produces the best outcomes for youth and their families. Know the resources in your community and network with them regularly. Discuss how each area can be more effective and continuously assess and promote filling any cracks.
Understanding how trauma affects youth can help guide juvenile justice interactions. What might look like a conduct disorder may actually be a coping mechanism developed by a child who had no other way of surviving. Offering safety and support is essential. If we go into our interactions with youth with a trauma-informed lens we can truly begin to make some positive changes instead of perpetuating the abuse.
Michelle Perin
Michelle Perin has been a freelance writer since 2000. In December 2010, she earned her Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Indiana State University.
