CM3S048 - Trauma and Youth Offending 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM3S048
Module Title: Trauma and Youth Offending
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Criminology
Module Leader: Zoe Cross
Module Team: Daniel Welch, Helen Martin
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to explore the multifaceted dynamics of trauma within offender populations, this study aims to investigate the phenomenon of post-traumatic growth, the utilisation of broader sensory experiences through sensory criminology interventions, and the interrelated aspects of sexual offending behaviour, addiction, mental health disorders, and criminal activities.

Content Summary

Understanding Trends in Young Offending

·         Explore the significant reduction, approximately 85%, in first-time offenders among young people in recent years.

·         Analyse the stable reoffending rate, remaining at around 38%, despite the decrease in first-time offenders.

·         Examine research findings indicating that young individuals persisting in the criminal justice system often have complex and challenging needs.

Complex Trauma and its Impact

·         Investigate the prevalence of complex trauma among young people involved in the criminal justice system.

·         Analyse how complex trauma can present challenges to the justice system and hinder rehabilitation efforts.

·         Explore the cumulative and interconnected effects of trauma on young offenders.
Therapeutic Approaches to Reduce Reoffending

·         Understand the guidance advocating for a therapeutic approach to reduce reoffending, as per YJB (2017).

·         Examine the importance of practitioners comprehending the impact of trauma on young offenders.

·         Analyse the need for contextualising offending behaviour within the framework of trauma-informed practice.

Recognising Criminological Harms as Stress Reactions:

·         Explore the concept of criminological harms as stress reactions stemming from trauma.

·         Analyse how recognising these reactions can inform interventions and support strategies.

·         Examine the implications of understanding criminological harms through a trauma-informed lens for effective rehabilitation.

Critical Analysis of Trauma-Informed Practice:

·         Delve into the principles and practices of trauma-informed approaches within the criminal justice system.

·         Critically evaluate the relationship between trauma and criminological harms.

Examine case studies and real-life scenarios to apply theoretical knowledge to practical contexts. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 36
Independent Study 84
Directed Study 80
Problem / challenge based learning 48
Total Hours Selected 248

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically discuss the relationship between trauma and criminological harms (such as addiction and mental health issues) for young people and young adults.
LO2 Compare and contrast trauma-informed approaches used in the criminal justice system for young people and young adults

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Student Choice 1 AStudents choose to produce either an essay, a report or an audio podcast, based on a fictional case study of a young person known to the justice system, who has suffered trauma 25 3000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Student Choice 1

Reading List

Belman, D. (2017). \\\"Mitigating Risks of Students Use of Study Drugs through Understanding Motivations for Use and Applying Harm Reduction Theory: a Literature Review.\\\" Harm Reduction Journal, 14(1), 68–68. Retrieved from Web.

Ayirolimeethal, A et al. (2014). \\\"Psychiatric Morbidity Among Prisoners.\\\" Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(2), 150–153. Retrieved from Web.

Colman, C, and VandeR, F. (2012). \\\"'Recovery Came First': Desistance Versus Recovery in the Criminal Careers of Drug-Using Offenders.\\\"

Covington, S. (2008). \\\"Women and Addiction: A Trauma-Informed Approach.\\\" Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 40(Sup5), 377–385. Retrieved from Web.

Crosby, S D. (2016). \\\"Trauma-Informed Approaches to Juvenile Justice: A Critical Race Perspective.\\\" Juvenile & Family Court Journal, 67(1), 5–18. Retrieved from Web.
Han, Hae-Ra et al. (2021). \\\"Trauma Informed Interventions: A Systematic Review.\\\" PLoS ONE, 16(6), e0252747–e0252747. Retrieved from Web.
Howells, K, Day A and Thomas-Peter, B. (2004). \\\"Changing Violent Behaviour: Forensic Mental Health and Criminological Models Compared.\\\" The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 15(3), 391–406. Retrieved from Web.

McMurran, M. (2012). \\\"Individual-Level Interventions for Alcohol-Related Violence: A Rapid Evidence Assessment.\\\" Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 22(1), 14–28. Retrieved from Web.

Oleksii P,l et al. (2019). \\\"Criminological Characteristics of Juvenile Aggression.\\\" Journal of Advanced Research in Law and Economics, 10(8)(46), 2462–2474. Retrieved from Print.

McClanahan, B and South, N. (2020). \\\"'All Knowledge Begins with the Senses'1: Towards a Sensory Criminology.\\\" British Journal of Criminology, 60(1), 3–23. Retrieved from Web.

Parker, H. (1996). \\\"Young Adult Offenders, Alcohol and Criminological Cul-de-Sacs.\\\" British Journal of Criminology, 36(2), 282–298. Retrieved from Web.

Rich, K. (2019). \\\"Trauma-Informed Police Responses to Rape Victims.\\\" Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 28(4), 463–480. Retrieved from Web.

Silver, E. (2006). \\\"Understanding the Relationship Between Mental Disorder and Violence: The Need for a Criminological Perspective.\\\" Law and Human Behavior, 30(6), 685–706. Retrieved from Web.