To address the situation of Charlie as described in “Just Mercy,” particularly focusing on the trauma he experienced from his interactions with his mother’s abusive boyfriend and his subsequent incarceration, we’ll draw upon knowledge from HSBE I (Human Behavior in the Social Environment), insights from Trauma Matters Delaware, the ACEs Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and general trauma literature.
### Physical and Psychological Trauma Experienced by Charlie
Charlie’s experience illustrates significant physical and psychological trauma at multiple levels:
**Physical Trauma:**
1. **Abuse from George:** George, Charlie’s mother’s boyfriend, inflicted physical abuse on Charlie. This type of trauma includes injuries inflicted intentionally or through neglect, leading to physical harm, such as bruises, cuts, or even more severe injuries.
2. **Incarceration:** Placing a 14-year-old in an adult prison exposes Charlie to physical threats and potential violence from other inmates. His physical safety is compromised, which is traumatic, especially considering his young age and vulnerability.
**Psychological Trauma:**
1. **Witnessing Abuse:** Charlie witnessed the abuse his mother endured at the hands of George. Witnessing domestic violence is psychologically traumatic and can lead to feelings of helplessness, fear, and anxiety.
2. **Loss of Parental Figure:** Despite George’s abusive behavior, losing a parental figure (even an abusive one) can cause significant psychological distress, especially for a young adolescent like Charlie who might have had conflicting feelings towards George.
3. **Legal Proceedings:** Being arrested and charged with a serious crime like murder can induce severe psychological trauma. Charlie is not only dealing with the trauma of his past experiences but also the uncertainty and fear associated with the criminal justice system.
### Engagement and Assessment as Charlie’s Social Worker
As Charlie’s social worker, it’s crucial to approach him with empathy, understanding, and a trauma-informed perspective:
1. **Engagement Strategies:**
– **Build Trust:** Establishing a trusting relationship is essential. Charlie may initially be distrustful due to past traumatic experiences and his current circumstances.
– **Respect Autonomy:** Given his age, involve Charlie in decision-making processes regarding his treatment and legal proceedings to empower him and promote autonomy.
2. **Assessment for Trauma:**
– **Trauma-Informed Assessment:** Utilize trauma-specific assessment tools such as the ACEs questionnaire to understand the extent of Charlie’s adverse experiences.
– **Clinical Interviews:** Conduct clinical interviews to explore Charlie’s emotional and psychological responses to his past traumas, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of his needs.
3. **Intervention Planning:**
– **Trauma-Focused Therapy:** Develop an intervention plan focusing on trauma-specific therapies such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to address Charlie’s trauma symptoms.
– **Supportive Services:** Connect Charlie with supportive services, including legal advocacy, educational support, and community-based programs to enhance his resilience and coping skills.
4. **Educational and Advocacy Roles:**
– **Education:** Educate Charlie about trauma responses and how his experiences have impacted his thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
– **Advocacy:** Advocate for Charlie’s rights within the legal system to ensure that his age and trauma history are considered during legal proceedings.
By implementing these strategies, Charlie can receive the support needed to address his trauma effectively and navigate the complex challenges he faces. This approach not only acknowledges the profound impact of trauma but also empowers Charlie towards healing and resilience.
In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson, assiduously documents the deep and insidious unjust criminal justice system that exists in the United States. You are being asked to address the biological, psychological, and social systems and policies/laws that are intentionally designed to negatively impact marginalized individuals and communities, in particular African American, at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Visit Trauma Matters Delaware (TMD) and Delaware ACE Action for valuable resources on trauma.
In chapter 6, Charlie is a 14-year-old boy, 5 feet tall and weighing 100 lbs. He had a juvenile criminal history. He was arrested and put in an adult prison for shooting and killing Charlie, his mother’s boyfriend George, who also was a local police officer. George had a history of physically and psychologically abusing Charlie’s mother and enacting physical and psychological trauma on Charlie.
- Using your knowledge from HSBE I, Trauma Matters Delaware, the ACEs Study and the trauma literature describe and analyze the physical and psychological trauma that Charlie experienced.
- Briefly explain how you as Charlie’s social worker would engage and assess him for trauma.
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