Reimagining Justice This Month | February 2020
Reimagining Justice This Month highlights stories about effective responses to violence – responses that disrupt cycles of violence, heal trauma, and address structural racism.
To combat gun violence, N.J. awards $20M to hospitals for intervention programs
New Jersey isn’t the first state to see how violence intervention can be powerful in the hospital setting, but its initial investment in this vital work suggests a firm commitment. EJUSA was proud to partner with a team of advocacy and community-based organizations to educate state leaders about how addressing trauma quickly and comprehensively can sharply reduce violence. And we’re going to urge those same lawmakers to invest in community-based strategies that have also shown dramatic achievements.
Flight School focuses on children dealing with traumatic situations
A child-parent psychotherapy program in Ohio called the Flight School focuses on joint healing of trauma for families, and especially children, exposed to violence, some type of abuse, or neglect. While the program serves all age ranges, it emphasizes assisting children in navigating trauma so that they have the healing and support needed to grow into healthy adults.
Treating mothers’ trauma as a way to prevent youth violence
Sisters United Resilient and Empowered, or SURE Moms, is an Ann Arbor, MI program that addresses the trauma of mothers so they can develop strong relationships with their children and prevent future violence. “The mother has to do their emotional work first,” said Leah Mills, a social worker and trauma therapist in Washtenaw County, who assists with SURE Moms. “When they become healthy, they can give their children the emotional support the children need.”
Scientists report gains in treating kids suffering chronic trauma
A noninvasive brain therapy that has been used to treat PTSD among veterans is being used to address chronic childhood therapy. Scientists have reported “enormous positive gains” for children who’ve participated, including increased sleep and emotional regulation, and a decrease in dissociative behaviors often linked to un-treated trauma. This is a promising step toward treating young people to help them heal trauma and live healthier lives.
Tree of Life brought out a ‘collective compassion.’ Now a Pittsburgh group uses faith to help others facing trauma.
Pittsburgh is still suffering from last year’s mass shooting. Faith groups are coming together to explore and heal the trauma that is felt by so many. “Our traumas might not be the same,” said Geraldine Massey, a counselor at Center for Victims, who lost two sons to gun violence, but dialogues across communities are a way to learn about and “acknowledge each other’s trauma.”
EJUSA’s mission is to transform the justice system by promoting responses to violence that break cycles of trauma. We work at the intersection of criminal justice, public health, and racial justice to elevate healing over retribution, meet the needs of survivors, advance racial equity, and build community safety.
