Trauma Awareness and Criminal Justice
We are pleased to share with our members the content of the ‘Trauma awareness within criminal justice’ session that was recorded during Day 4 of our Annual Conference 2021.
The below recording includes an interview capturing an incredibly powerful and moving personal story, followed by a panel discussion centred around the importance of adopting a trauma informed approach in the justice system.
The session also includes a Q&A with BAFTA Award Winning Director Stephen Bennett and Psychotherapist Kirsty Giles, who reflect on the key messages behind the film ‘Warriors’ – a link to the film alongside the synopsis are also included at the bottom of this page.
Details on sessions and speakers:
- Personal Story: Callum Hutchison, Development Officer, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit
- Interview with Iain Smith, Scottish Lawyer of the Year 2020
- Panel Discussion with:
- Myrna McCallum, Founding Lawyer, Miyo Pimatisiwin Legal Services in North Vancouver, British Columbia;
- Iain Smith Partner, Keegan Smith; and Scottish Lawyer of the Year 2020;
- James Docherty, Development Officer, Violence Reduction Unit; Advisor to Community Justice Scotland;
- Dr Caroline Bruce, Psychologist and Head of Trauma, Scottish Government;
- Ret. Sheriff David Mackie
- Q&A with BAFTA Award Winning Director Stephen Bennett and Kirsty Giles, Psychotherapist, Violence Reduction Unit
- Q&A with Kate Silverton, BBC Broadcaster and Journalist
Warriors: Revisiting the boys of Ballikinrain
The 2012 film by Bafta award winning filmmaker, Stephen Bennett.
"The Care system is just a prison for people too young to go to prison".
So says Bradley Noon. When I last filmed him he was 12 and in a care home called Ballikinrain, near Stirling – a place for kids who had been abused. Now 18 years old he wants to know why most of his former pals have ended up in prison, from petty crimes to attempted murder. Was this because they had been in Care?
“Warriors” tells the stories of Bradley, Paul and Ryan, once boys, now men. It examines how the ‘system’ has helped or damned them. Revisiting Ballikinrain Bradley is convinced this is the place that wrecked both his and his friends’ lives, but afterwards he wonders whether this is the case…
Later he meets John Carnochan, Head of the Violence Reduction Unit, a tough seen-it-all ex-Glasgow cop, lauded by the Prime Minister, who suggests the damage started far younger. Refusing to believe Bradley returns to where he grew up – a place he remembers his mother’s addictions – and is shaken. Could this be the route of all his – and his friends – problems? He meets foremost child psychologist Suzanne Zeedyk to find out how early such problems can be traced. Her answer - the womb. For Bradley and the audience it’s a moving journey.