Amelia Thorn, assistant director of the Bolch Judicial Institute, was recently profiled by Duke Law News for her research on how judges view and adopt trauma-informed practices in their courtrooms — and how those practices can shape the broader courthouse environment.
Trauma-informed practices are intended to help courts respond more effectively to behaviors that may be rooted in trauma and, in some cases, help prevent recidivism. Because judges have significant influence over how courtrooms and courthouses operate, Thorn says their leadership can play an important role in whether and how those practices are adopted.
“Judges are leaders both in the courtroom and in the broader courthouse,” Thorn said. “They influence things like how the courthouse runs, when parties are scheduled to come in, the order in which things are done, who interacts with the litigants, and how.”
The profile also highlights a study of 91 North Carolina district court judges in which Thorn and her coauthors found that judges were most likely to adopt trauma-informed practices involving communication and demeanor, such as using clear language, practicing active listening, and asking questions to clarify issues. The research complements Thorn’s work leading the Institute’s trauma-informed judicial education programs.
Read the full article on Duke Law’s website.
