Healing the Wounds of Trauma

Transcription

1 Goals for this workshop Healing the Wounds of Trauma Understand that trauma is a core issue in incarceration Discover there is a Bible-based approach to healing the wounds of trauma Dana Ergenbright Trauma Healing at American Bible Society Joy Stevens Good News Jail & Prison Ministry 1 2 Mass Incarceration The United States is the world s leader in incarceration 2.2 million people currently in the nation s prisons or jails 500% increase over past 30 years 3 4 1

2 Legislation of the 1980 s 2015 International Rates of Incarceration Tough on crime Mandatory minimum Three strikes and you re out War on Drugs 5 6 Mass Incarceration of Females Female Incarceration Comparison 5,600 females incarcerated in ,250 females incarcerated in 2011 CA with 30,000,000 have 11,250 female incarcerated Germany with 80,000,000 have 800 women incarcerated 7 U.S. Dept. of Justice Statistics 2

3 Largest Female Prison in World in U.S. Comparison Male/Female Offender 9 10 Common Pathway Women Travel into the Criminal Justice System Common Pathway Men Travel into the Criminal Justice System Child Physical Sexual Abuse Substance Abuse Mental Illness and/or Street Life Offending Behavior Child Neglect or Abuse Fatherless Substance Abuse Drop out of School Offending Behavior

4 Definition of Trauma Natural Trauma Interpersonal 1X1 Trauma Four Common Responses to Trauma Reliving the experience - Thinking of event all the time, stuck on replay, nightmares, flashbacks, not just remembering but reliving Avoiding - Numbing, drugs/alcohol, suppress, disassociate Being on alert Always frightened, tense, frightened, sleepless Shame - a sense of being intrinsically ba, flawed Trauma Background of Inmates 97% of female inmates have a background of trauma 75% of male inmates have a background of trauma Women Gender Differences: Types of Trauma Sexual Abuse Domestic Abuse Men Physical Abuse/Assault Neglect

5 Gender Differences: Response Women Self Harm Addiction Suicidal Ideation Cutting Eating Disorders Men Self Harm Addiction Suicidal Ideation Implode Isolation Depression Anxiety Explode Violence Anger Rage Re-traumatization of Incarceration 1. Sometimes violent arrests 2. Strip searches 3. Hand cuffs/shackles 4. Loss of freedom, identity, choices 5. Facing possible long-term prison time 6. Fear of raising children through pictures

6 Correctional Challenge in U.S. 1,719 Prisons 102 Federal prisons 3,100 Jails 2.2 Million incarcerated Two-Fold Solution 1. Change in legislation 2. Trauma healing in jails/prisons Trauma Healing at American Bible Society Our mission is to help the Church address the effects of trauma and loss through an integration of Biblical and mental health principles. Trauma separates people from God and the Bible from community from themselves

7 Trauma healing reconnects them to God and the Bible to community to themselves Trauma may be the biggest mission field in the world today. Dr. Diane Langberg Clinical psychologist American Assoc. of Christian Counselors Board Chair Trauma Healing Institute Advisory Council Co-Chair Trauma healing outcomes New hope and identity in Christ Reduction of trauma symptoms Resilience in the face of ongoing trauma Stronger communities and local churches seen as safe places of Gospel hope and healing

8 Participatory session Testimony I had no idea that the trauma of my childhood was the underlying factor in my anger I know now that if I did not let God heal the trauma, I would be back in jail on another assault charge. Approaches to trauma healing Classic: curriculum for people who want to lead healing groups or train others to do so Children: camp for up to 60 children with facilitator training included Story-Based: for oral-only communities Audio/TV: reaching mass audiences, creating human interactions

9 Our Focus Global reach and growing International: Conflict zones Domestic: Jail and prison system 100 countries, 4400 facilitators, 194 languages Training in three steps Initial Equipping Practicum (lead 2 healing groups) Advanced Equipping Next step Fall 2017, Initial Equipping for correctional ministries abs.us/training

10 Question and Answer abs.us/trauma 37 10