Theorising Trauma and Offending

Despite decades of evidence that justice-involved individuals are disproportionately affected by adversity and present with trauma-related symptoms, the links between trauma and offending and the mechanisms that explain these associations are underdeveloped within the social and psychological sciences. This book synthesises trauma and criminological literature and augments it with the author’s own experience and research. It begins by facilitating an understanding of the key concepts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma and their relevance to criminology, sociology and social policy. The book then explores the burden that is experienced by the justice involved population, analyses reasons behind the burden, and highlights areas for prevention. Importantly, the book proposes a theory of deprivation to explain the overrepresentation of trauma in the justice system, the aim of which is not to conclusively explain these observations, but rather to generate interest and further research in the area. This book addresses a significant gap in the offending and prevention of offending literature and embeds trauma and offending into routine criminological, sociological and social policy teaching.

Colm Walsh is Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast, UK. He is Co-Chair of the Forensic Mental Health Research Network and is expert to the EU commission on violence prevention. Colm spent 14 years in practice, managing and commissioning evidence supporting interventions for young people in the justice system and families whose children were at risk out of out-of-home care due to offending and mental health.