Meeting of the Parliament 09 May 2023
It is a privilege to lead this debate, which is my first as Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs. I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, Keith Brown, and I look forward to working with all members of the Parliament at what is a pivotal moment in the delivery of Scotland’s transformative vision for justice.
In my short time in post, I have heard from victims and survivors on the lasting impacts of trauma and how the justice process itself can be retraumatising. I have heard the very clear message that the justice system needs to focus less on its own needs and more on the individual needs of people who are seeking justice.
When we talk about trauma-informed justice, we need to be clear about what we mean. Trauma-informed practice means ensuring that the impact of trauma does not prevent people from giving their best evidence. It means witnesses coming through the justice system without experiencing harm or impeding their recovery. It means listening and responding to feedback from witnesses who are living the experience. It means supporting staff to recognise and manage normal human responses to exposure to what is sometimes the worst of humanity, and it means creating and sustaining systems that embody those aims.
We know that change can be difficult, particularly in systems with long-established traditions, but the status quo is not an option, because the benefits of trauma-informed practice for victims and for justice are transformational.
“Trauma Informed Justice: A Knowledge and Skills Framework for Working with Victims and Witnesses”, which was launched last week, gives us a robust, evidence-based and detailed picture of exactly what different staff across the justice system need to know in order to ensure that our justice system recognises the impact of trauma, is thoughtful about how it responds and actively seeks to avoid causing further harm.
I know that our justice workforce wants to deliver that improved experience. Throughout the system, we see dedicated professionals who have come into their jobs to help people who have been impacted by crime. The framework recognises that every contact that an individual has can have a significant impact. From the first knock at the door by the police through to decisions made about parole and release from prison, it details the skills and knowledge that are needed. The framework is for everyone who works in a justice setting, at whatever level, from receptionists to judges, and it provides different aims and outcomes, depending on their role and the type of contact that they have with victims and witnesses.