Making the justice system better for victims: consultation - easy read

Making the justice system more trauma informed

Trauma can happen to people after a bad or frightening event.

Trauma can make people:

• feel sad or upset
• feel scared
• have nightmares or bad memories
• drink alcohol or use drugs to help cope with how they are feeling

The Scottish Government thinks that organisations in the justice system should be trauma informed.

This means organisations:

• understand how trauma can make victims feel
• understand how trauma can make victims behave

Trauma informed also means that victims:

• are listened to
• get the right information at the right time
• feel safe
• are treated with kindness

One way to do this is to write new rules saying that organisations must be trauma informed.

Guidance could also help organisations be trauma informed.