The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the virtual training, “Developing Culturally-Responsive, Trauma-Informed Legal Advocacy Services and Responses.” The events of 2020 have clearly shown us that we do not all have the same experience moving through the world. Trauma from violent acts and oppression are real, and the survivors we work with have experienced it, in one form or another. Legal proceedings are inherently triggering for survivors of trauma, and lawyers must balance pursuing the case with the impact of trauma on the survivor during those proceedings. This training session will explore how lawyers and other professionals can adapt their work to ensure they are both culturally responsive and trauma informed. Participants will explore steps they can take to help survivors get through system responses and legal proceedings.
Olga is an attorney, trainer, internationally renowned speaker and author who has devoted her career to helping advocates, first responders and others in the field better understand the impact of trauma on survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking, and is one of the only speakers in the U.S. to address the issue of Dissociative Identity Disorder from a lived experience of diagnoses and healing. Olga intertwines the role of culture, and in particular Latino culture into every presentation, training or technical assistance opportunity.
Olga has authored a number of articles and publications. Her memoir for New Harbinger Publications entitled “The Sum of My Parts” was released in October 2011 and has been released in Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. She also co-authored a Handbook for Attorneys “Representing Domestic Violence Survivors Who Are Also Experiencing Trauma and Mental Health Challenges” which was released in January 2012, and a number of tip sheets on trauma informed work including “Preparing Survivors for Court” in 2013, “Trauma Informed Legal Advocacy”, “Enhancing Access to Justice: Creating Trauma Informed Courts” and “Enhancing Advocacy Through a Trauma Informed Approach” in 2020.
Olga Trujillo’s family roots stem from Puerto Rico and Columbia. She was born and raised in Washington DC and studied at George Washington University Law School. She currently lives in a rural area of Wisconsin with her partner, Casey, and their dogs and cat.
Participant Registraion and Cost: This training is free. Participants need to register in advance for the training. To register, please click on the registration button above.
