Conference on June 16, 2026 in Berlin at the University of Applied Sciences for Social Work: Trauma-informed practice in an interdisciplinary context: Child and youth welfare, justice and therapy

17 hours ago
3 min read

I was invited to this conference by Prof. Dr. Selin Arikoglu. Selin is a professor of social work specializing in child and youth welfare at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Berlin. Her work focuses particularly on delinquency within its biographical context, incarceration, and its impact on family members, especially children. She combines academic perspectives with practical experience from juvenile and adult correctional facilities as well as youth welfare services. A central aim of her work is to develop a nuanced understanding of delinquency and, based on this understanding, to create well-founded approaches for social work in the context of incarceration and social participation.

My presentation " Restorative Justice and Trauma" is understood in terms of content as restorative procedures (the RJ circle dialogues that I have been conducting in German prisons since 2026) in the penal system: understanding trauma, enabling responsibility

In my work, and also here on the blog, I have repeatedly spoken about two central aspects: the inner attitude involved in my work and the often underestimated burden experienced by both victims of crime and incarcerated individuals. Both perspectives are essential when we discuss restorative justice procedures within the prison system. And both form the basis for what I will be addressing at my conference on restorative justice and trauma. I will be speaking about: Restorative Justice as a trauma-sensitive approach.

Trauma is not a fringe issue: it is central

A large proportion of inmates have their own experiences of violence and neglect. Trauma is not the exception in the prison system, but a structural reality. Nina Zolezzi reports on this in connection with CPP (Compassion Prison Project). At the same time, many victims of crime suffer long-term psychological and physical consequences. What is often lacking in traditional criminal proceedings is a space where these experiences can be acknowledged, understood, and contextualized.

If we understand attitude—as I described in my previous posts—not merely as professional distance, but as a conscious, reflective position, then this also means that we must acknowledge that behavior is often an expression of unprocessed experiences. This applies to victims just as much as to those incarcerated.

Between responsibility and understanding

A trauma-sensitive perspective should never be confused with relativizing the issue. Responsibility remains central. However, responsibility does not arise from shaming or mere punishment, but from understanding, contextualization, and the opportunity for active engagement.

This is where restorative justice comes in. The approach shifts the focus: away from pure punishment, towards relationship, dialogue, and reconciliation. This doesn't mean that guilt is erased, but that it becomes manageable.

Making stress visible

In my previous publications, I have described how profoundly stress can affect those affected as persistent insecurity, loss of control and fragmentation of experiences, and in incarcerated individuals as an often unrecognized consequence of early traumatization, which manifests itself in violence, withdrawal or dysregulation.

A system that ignores these stresses often produces new injuries.

Restorative justice procedures offer a different approach: If well prepared and accompanied, they create spaces where those affected can express their perspective, inmates can take responsibility and understand the consequences of their actions, and both sides can regain a degree of agency.

My BoAS concept: trauma-sensitive, structured, responsibility-oriented

In my concept "Senior-Oriented Work in Prisons" I combine three central elements:

Trauma sensitivity as a fundamental principle: Every encounter is informed by an awareness of potential pre-existing traumas. Safety, voluntariness, and stabilization are paramount.
Clear accountability: Inmates are not exonerated, but supported in truly taking responsibility, beyond platitudes or adaptation in the sense of developing an avatar.
Structured dialogue spaces: Encounters do not take place spontaneously, but are prepared, moderated and embedded in a highly professional framework.

The goal is not reconciliation at any price. The goal is understanding, acknowledgment of emotional, psychological, and physical damage, and—where possible—a step toward restoration.

Why this is important now

The penal system is constantly caught between the tension of security, punishment, and rehabilitation. If we ignore trauma in this process, many measures remain superficial.

A trauma-sensitive restorative approach is not a "soft" add-on, but a necessary further development: for sustainable resocialization, for genuine so-called victim protection, and for a system that not only reacts but also understands.

Outlook on the conference

In my keynote address at the conference, I will explore these perspectives in greater depth and present them in a practical way:

How do we recognize trauma in the prison context?
What attitude is needed in professional practice?
How can restorative justice be implemented in practice?
And where are the limits of this approach?

I see this work as an invitation: to look closely, to think in a differentiated way and to allow new paths, without losing sight of the complexity.

Because precisely where the pressure is greatest, there often lies the greatest potential for change. I'm looking forward to it! See flyer for registration details!