To ask the Minister of Justice for her assessment of how adverse childhood experiences and trauma impact the criminal justice system.

ORAL QUESTION No 4 - AQO 1469/22-27

ANSWER

As Justice Minister, I am acutely aware of the daily and cumulative impact of trauma, because the justice system is often the place of last resort for people and communities with trauma.

Justice agencies like Youth Justice and Probation are leading the way in showing how to adopt trauma informed approaches in specialist services – that includes rethinking how we make every point of contact with service users an opportunity for support rather than potential re-traumatisation. This is essential if we want to stop the revolving door of hurt and futility that passes through generations affected by trauma.

It also matters because trauma, and particularly complex trauma, is costly. Adverse Childhood Experiences alone cost Northern Ireland an estimated £1.3 billion annually. This is most acutely felt across the justice, education, and health and social care sectors.

The Executive Programme for Paramilitarism & Organised Crime has led the way in championing a trauma informed Northern Ireland; and for trauma to feature in the Programme for Government. This is not just about providing specialist services. We all need some understanding of trauma and how it affects our decision-making and perspectives as well as our communities and public sector workforces.