Judges and Child Trauma: Findings from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network/National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Focus Groups

Child trauma is endemic in the juvenile justice system. At least 75% of youth involved in the juvenile delinquency system have experienced traumatic victimization, and 1111–50% have developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of these young people are involved in the family court system due to victimization. For example, children involved in dependency cases generally have experienced at least one major traumatic event in their lifetime, and many have long and complex trauma histories. Furthermore, abuse and neglect often are associated with concurrent exposure to domestic violence, substance abuse, and community violence.