Trauma in the Courtroom

"Cambodia's Hidden Scars", Beth Van Schaack, Daryn Reicherter, and Youk Chhang (eds.), 2011

Posted: 29 May 2013

See all articles by John Ciorciari

John Ciorciari

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Anne Heindel

Documentation Center of Cambodia; Independent

Date Written: March 1, 2011

Abstract

Addressing widespread trauma is crucial for any society emerging from mass atrocities. Advocates of criminal accountability processes contend that trials can help victims heal from trauma by providing justice and enabling at least some survivors to tell their stories. Numerous studies suggest, however, that involving victims in judicial proceedings carries real risks of retraumatization if the proceedings are not appropriately designed and conducted. Trauma can also impact survivor testimony and, thus, the efficiency and credibility of the judicial proceedings. This paper discusses and critiques the efforts of the U.N. backed Khmer Rouge tribunal to deal with the challenges of involving traumatized survivors in courtroom criminal proceedings.

Keywords: international criminal law, mental health, trauma, transitional justice

Suggested Citation

Ciorciari, John and Heindel, Anne and Heindel, Anne, Trauma in the Courtroom (March 1, 2011). "Cambodia's Hidden Scars", Beth Van Schaack, Daryn Reicherter, and Youk Chhang (eds.), 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2271678

John Ciorciari (Contact Author)

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy ( email )

735 South State Street, Weill Hall
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~johncior/

Anne Heindel

Documentation Center of Cambodia ( email )

66 Preah Sihanouk Boulevard
Phnom Penh
Cambodia

Independent ( email )

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