JUSTICE AS TRAUMA
Vancouver Convention Centre
March 17-19, 2025
Day 2
Tuesday, March 18
8:00-9:00
Breakfast and Opening Remarks
Main Room 301-305
9:00-10:30
Panel Discussion
The Power of Storytelling in Decolonizing Justice & Healing: Indigenous Women’s Perspectives
Main Room 301-305
Coming Soon!
Angela Sterritt
Myrna McCallum
10:30-10:45
Break
10:45-12:00
Panel Sessions
(Choose One)
Trauma-Informed Adjudication & Decision-Making
Speakers: Carey Majid, Catherine Kelly & Maria Dussan
Room 220-222
The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission is using restorative principles and trauma-informed practice to reimagine the human rights complaint process. The last and hardest piece is the adjudication and decision-making process as set out in the Human Rights Act. In an adversarial system that focuses on winning and losing - is this even possible? Join Carey, Catherine, and Maria to discuss how they have tried to adopt lessons learned from Community Justice Connect (a restorative justice and conflict resolution service) to the human rights adjudication and decision-making process. They will talk about how the Commission developed new rules of procedure; how we engage parties as they prepare for a hearing after many institutional delays; how evidence and witnesses are handled; and how we communicate decisions to parties, affected communities, and the public.
Carey Majid
Catherine Ann Kelly
Dr. Nadia Ferrara
Amanda Morgan
Maria Dussan
Dr. Benjamin Roebuck
2:00-3:30
Workshops
(Choose One)
Helper, Heal Thyself
Room 220-222
In this workshop, Robert will discuss the importance of people working in the legal and helping professions having a handle on their own trauma injuries. He will discuss the danger to our clients when our trauma is not well managed and the likelihood of incurring deeper injuries as well. The value of therapy will be discussed, but Robert will also give a layperson's guide to understanding, managing, and healing their own trauma.
1:00-1:45
The Neurobiological Impact of Trauma: Implications for Witnesses
Main Room 301-305
In this workshop we will highlight the ways in which the neurobiological impact of trauma can affect victims and witnesses and their evidence, and explore the implications for legal practice. Effective participation in justice proceedings is a fundamental right of any key participant, whether victim, witness, or accused. Witnesses are often required to give evidence about events that were potentially traumatic, but the impact of trauma on memory, and riskd of re-traumatisation can interfere with their participation. This workshop will focus on the adaptations that we can make within any investigation or court process and in our own practice to ensure that witnesses affected by trauma can participate effectively without further harm.
In this workshop we will:
- Understand and experience some of the ways in which the neurobiological impact of toxic and traumatic stress can affect witnesses and their evidence
-Consider practical strategies and adaptations (to both individual practice and systems) that will prevent further harm and re-traumatisation, and ensure victims and witnesses affected by trauma are able to participate effectively in legal proceedings.
1:00-1:45
Understanding Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Practice Room 306
This in-depth transformative workshop explores the powerful intersection of psychedelics and healing. In this session, we’ll dive into the science, spirituality, and therapeutic potential of psychedelics in addressing trauma, mental health challenges, and community growth.
Jamie-Lee Tuuta
12:00-1:00
Lunch
1:45-2:00
Break
Robert Wright
Dr. Caroline Bruce
Leonie Smith
Heather Hart
10:45-12:00
Rebuilding Trust: Trauma-Informed Foundations for Fairness & Justice
Main Room 301-305
Dr. Nadia Ferrara and Dr. Benjamin Roebuck will discuss how the Ombuds practice helps humanize bureaucracy and improve public services. As Ombuds for Indigenous Services Canada and the Privy Council Office, Nadia champions a human-centered, trauma- and resilience-informed approach. In her book In Pursuit of Impact: Trauma and Resilience Informed Policy Development, she urges policymakers to reconnect with their purpose, emphasizing storytelling’s role in humanizing policy.
As Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime, Benjamin advocates for survivors whose rights under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (CVBR) have been violated, making trauma-informed recommendations to improve the justice system. He will discuss how his office supports both survivors and team members amid high trauma exposure. Nadia and Benjamin’s different domains provide a holistic view of trauma-informed practice. The session will be conversational and interactive—bring your curiosity and questions about applying a trauma and resilience-informed approach in your work, and leave with your own hope narrative.
Charmaine Parenteau
1:00-1:45
Keynote
Creating Trauma-Informed Systems Change Across Public Services
Main Room 301-305
The impact of trauma and adversity on inequalities and access to basic life chances like health, education, housing and employment (as well as justice) are only now being fully realized and acknowledged. But adversity is not destiny, and research evidence is building around the role that trauma informed systems should play in redressing the balance. In 2017, Scotland pledged to become a trauma-informed nation.
In this talk, Dr Bruce will share some of the practical and leadership lessons learned with the National Trauma Transformation Programme towards creating trauma-informed public services. She will introduce some of the practical tools* developed from the experience of the National Trauma Transformation Programme in Scotland to offer some practical responses to common questions such as: What does “trauma informed” justice actually look like in practice? What steps do we take to get there? How do we know when we’ve got there?
*Relevant material:
2. Trauma-Informed Justice Knowledge and Skills Framework for working with Victims and Witnesses
Dr. Caroline Bruce
Myrna McCallum
1:00-1:45
Non-Violent Communication for Connection & Healing
Room 224
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a trauma-informed practice and communication tool, especially when expanded to include an understanding of systemic harm. In this workshop, we will look at some of the fundamentals of Nonviolent Communication through a trauma-informed lens. Learn tools that you can put into immediate practice to bring greater clarity and connection when collaborating with others. Learn how language can help you to embody close-held values.
3:40-4:00
Closing Remarks
6:00-8:00
Reception & Dinner
Keynote
Main Room 301-305
Holding Space for Humanity, Humility and Healing in the Legal Profession
Coming Soon!