Trauma-informed risk assessment and intervention: Understanding the role of triggering contexts and offence-related altered states of consciousness (ORASC)

Abstract

Risk assessment and intervention has, historically, not made direct links between trauma-linked developmental psychological processes and dynamic risk. In this chapter two critical areas of consideration in risk assessment (safety planning) and intervention will be outlined, using an integrative framework pulling together evolutionary motivational, resource functional analytic, and good lives thinking. Specifically, the need for contextual resource provision in offence-related trauma-triggering situations is highlighted. In addition, the need to understand offence-related altered states of consciousness (ORASC), linked often with trauma-related altered states of consciousness (TRASC) will be proposed, as a significant component of risk and safety work with people who have offended. Practitioners need to attend to both areas to work in a trauma-informed way. Preventing re-traumatisation and trauma-triggering exposure to deprived or abusive contexts that increase the chances of offence-related solutions to resource losses or deprivations is a significant task for practitioners working with people who have offended. Understanding the ways in which felt agency and ORASC can change in contexts where trauma and related resource need processes are triggered is a significant component of this work.