JSI Champions Trauma-Informed Courts at 2024 Child Justice Seminar in Jamaica

The Justice Speakers Institute (JSI), as part of its ongoing mission to be a global leader in judicial education and to promote justice and the rule of law worldwide, proudly featured JSI Associate Judge Gayle Williams-Byers (Ret.) as a keynote presenter on Trauma-Informed Courts at the 2024 Child Justice Guidelines Training Seminar for Parish Court Judges in Trelawny, Jamaica. This distinguished event, organized by the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) with the support of UNICEF Jamaica, aimed to enhance judicial practices to protect the rights and well-being of children involved in the justice system.

Trauma-Informed Courts

The seminar focused on equipping judges with tools and knowledge to handle cases involving children in a trauma-informed and sensitive manner. It included presentations and interactive sessions addressing topics such as legislative advancements for child justice, the neurobiological impacts of childhood trauma, and strategies for fostering a supportive courtroom environment. Judges from across Jamaica participated, highlighting the emphasis on collaborative learning to better serve vulnerable youth.

As part of this initiative, Judge Williams-Byers delivered two presentations on the “how,” “when,” and “why” of trauma-informed courtrooms, underscoring their impact on children and youth engaging the the justice system. The audience comprised of judges representing every parish in Jamaica.

Children in the Courtroom as Victims, Witnesses and Offenders

Over the course of the two-day training, sessions were designed to enhance judges’ understanding and skills in handling sensitive cases where children may be witnesses, victims, or offenders. Jamaica’s Chief Justice Bryan Sykes opened the seminar, emphasizing the importance of addressing youth-related cases with sensitivity and seriousness to prevent further trauma.

Other sessions included insights on legislative changes equipping judges with tools and mandates to address trauma-impacted youth. Presentations from victim-survivors and an exploration of childhood trauma’s neurobiological effects provided additional depth.

JSI’s presentation advocated for a paradigm shift—from asking children, “What did you do?” to instead asking, “What happened to you?” This empathetic approach, participants noted, fosters more candid responses from children who might otherwise feel intimidated by the court process.

Six Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach

The training introduced SAMHSA’s six key principles of a trauma-informed approach—safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity—emphasizing their importance in creating courtroom environments that build trust rather than perpetuate trauma. Judges were encouraged to apply these principles thoughtfully, adapting them to the unique circumstances of each case.

Additionally, participants explored practical steps to design courtrooms that reduce the trauma often associated with legal proceedings. Many judges contributed their own insights and committed to implementing these measures in their courtrooms.

Each session concluded with interactive activities reinforcing key concepts and emphasizing the importance of applying them in real-world settings. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and JSI looks forward to further collaborations with the Jamaican judiciary on this and other critical topics.

About the Justice Speakers Institute

JSI is the essential resource for speakers, trainers, consultants, analysts, researchers, and writers on justice issues, including criminal and civil law, procedural justice, and therapeutic jurisprudence, across local and international jurisdictions. 

It is the mission of the Justice Speakers Institute to promote excellence in education, training, and professional development on justice issues worldwide.

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