Supporting Victims in Trauma-Informed Court Systems: Exploring the Perceptions and Experiences of Court Personnel
JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION, MALTREATMENT & TRAUMA, vol.1, no.26, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 1 Issue: 26
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1080/10926771.2026.2673510
- Journal Name: JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION, MALTREATMENT & TRAUMA
- Journal Indexes: Scopus, Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), IBZ Online, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Psycinfo, Violence & Abuse Abstracts
- Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The trauma-informed care (TIC) approach offers a comprehensive framework aimed at preventing the re-traumatization of victims within the justice system and strengthening trust-based interaction. Within the Turkish context, research examining the perceptions of professionals providing psychosocial support to victims within the justice system regarding TIC principles and their experiences in applying these principles is limited. This study aims to examine the perceptions, experiences, and challenges faced in practice by professionals who provide psychosocial support to victims within the justice system in Türkiye, with regard to the trauma-informed care (TIC) approach. Conducted using a qualitative research design and the hermeneutic phenomenology method, the study involved in-depth interviews with 15 court personnel. The findings were grouped under three main themes: practices, challenges, and improvement strategies. Participants emphasized the importance of principles such as physical and psychological safety, transparency, autonomy in decision-making, and cultural sensitivity. However, secondary trauma, ethical dilemmas, time pressure, and structural inadequacies were identified as significant barriers to the sustainability of trauma-informed practices. Participants proposed strategies based on role-specific training, trauma-sensitive court environments, and institutional collaboration. The study fills a gap in the literature by presenting original findings on the integration of TIC principles into the justice system in Türkiye and contributes to the strengthening of a victim-centered, restorative justice approach at the policy and practice levels.