There is growing social awareness of the long-term effects of trauma, especially on victims of violent crime. Police officers play a pivotal role in supporting victims of violent crime. Evidence is mounting that a more victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to policing results in benefits to the victims of the crime and can help expedite processing the case. Such an approach can also benefit the officers involved and the community as a whole. It can even lead to a reduction in crime.
CNA has funded a research project with the goal of helping the US justice system become more supportive of victims of violent crime during interactions with law enforcement personnel. This project, led by CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation and the Center for Vulnerable Population Protection, is exploring trauma-informed best practices, seeking to identify gaps and determine what is working to improve police response to victims and increase successful victim outcomes. Such knowledge could be used by law enforcement and their victim advocates and professional staff for victim-centered response and follow-up and trauma-informed case management.
Our preliminary research finds that implementation of an integrated, trauma-informed approach to policing is not a widespread practice within the United States. We also find gaps in knowledge. While advocates have helped to increase public awareness of trauma-informed policy and practice, there is much room for improvement when it comes to research, evaluation, and learning about system-based victim services that use victim-centered and trauma-informed approaches. This is a missed opportunity to make the US justice system work better for everyone.
Benefits to the victims of violent crime
Implementing a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach when engaging victims of violent crime can mean police are “less likely to add trauma to someone who may already have experienced it,” according to Elizabeth Wexler, a licensed clinical social worker who trains police in Baltimore City, Maryland. Promising Practices in Law Enforcement Victim Support, an International Association of Chiefs of Police project, adds, “Victim-centered, trauma-informed approaches to crime can support victim recovery and engagement with the criminal justice system. These approaches promote enhanced victim and community safety while helping law enforcement solve and prevent crime.”
Benefits to the case
Building trust through trauma-informed policing can benefit the investigation of a case and can help solve crimes. Police who use a victim-centered approach are more likely to get cooperation from crime victims, witnesses, family members, and the community. This can expedite information gathering and the processing of the case.
Benefits to officers and the community
Using a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach can also help police improve transparency and relations in the communities where they work. The approach helps break down barriers, builds strong connection with communities, and brings communities and police together. When trauma-informed policies and interventions extend to persons accused of crimes, they can also strengthen efforts to reduce crime and prevent future offending.
What’s next
Addressing the gaps in current policing practices begins with more trauma-informed training. Police officers need more empathy training for dealing with victims, including those who may already be living with trauma. Police agencies should tailor their training to meet the needs of their agency and the community they serve in a way that is appropriate and sustainable. In addition, police can establish and maintain partnerships with local trauma specialists and community-based organizations to ensure continuity of care for victims of crime. This also helps build trust with communities.
In late 2024, CNA’s project, Building a More Victim-Centered and Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice System in the US, will publish its policy and training recommendations. We hope this analysis will be a step toward a justice system that is more just for everyone.
The project team is conducting a 20-minute anonymous survey as part of its review and analysis of trauma-informed justice policies and practices. The survey is geared toward current and former justice practitioners (e.g., victim rights and services advocates, police officers, community-based organizations, crisis intervention specialists) who have interacted with victims of crime. Click here to take and share the survey.
