ACEs are of particular relevance to students in careers relating to law and the criminal justice system. People who have experienced multiple ACEs are more likely to be a victim of or commit violent crimes. They are also more likely to involved with the criminal justice system at an early age and to be incarcerated. People who have been victims of crimes may be unable to provide an account that leads to a successful conviction. Understanding the core nature of difficulties may be helpful in reducing recidivism and may be helpful to you in interacting with your clients. Find out more about ACEs and how they might be relevant for students whose careers involves law or the Criminal Justice System by checking out the resources below.
ACES and Law event, September 2022
Advocates for ACEs hosted Iain Smith, Lawyer of the year 2019 to talk about the role of adverse childhood experiences in people in law settings. Watch the recording here.
Resources
The NES National Trauma Training Programme Resources
Find out whay trauma is everyone's business
NES National Trauma Training Programme
You can also access resources to help you develop knowledge and skills to supprot a 'Trauma-skilled' practice. You will need to register with TURAS Learn to access the first of these resources, but anyone with an email address, no matter what their location or role is, can register free of charge.
Developing your trauma-skilled practice
Career-specific videos and podcasts
Iain Smith, Partner at Keegan Smith Defence Lawyers, shares how his awareness of adverse childhood experiences has impacted his practice as a lawyer. Iain speaks about his efforts to raise awareness of adversity and trauma throughout the judiciary in Scotland and to encourage the courts to look at people through an ACEs lens.
Impact of ACE Awareness on a Curious Defence Lawyer
The Stories of Resilience Series provides insights into the ways that knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences is changing lives and professional practice throughout Scotland. In this episode, we hear from Nadine Martin, a lawyer based in the family law team at Harper Macleod.
Stories of resilience – Nadine Martin
Iain Smith is Scottish Lawyer of the year 2020 and an Advocate for ACEs.
Listen to more about his view on ‘presiding with kindness’:
Career-specific articles
Being Trauma Informed in Practice. What can trauma awareness bring to family law, especially disputes concerning children? In this collaborative feature a solicitor and two clinical psychologists offer some practical suggestions.
Being Trauma Informed in Practice
Iain Keegan-Smith discusses the biological effects of ACEs and the implications for law and society.