Justice Branch

Where we seek to connect different parts of the criminal justice system in a joint mission to become more trauma-informed and responsive.

“Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” Trauma-informed care asks “What happened to you?”

– Dr Bruce Perry

Read our Working Together Guide

Advocating for a Kinder, Fairer Justice System

We push for change by sharing learning and ensuring that people with lived experience are involved as equal partners in this journey. We want to create a culture of learning and inclusivity that is realistic about the impact of the criminal justice system, for the people caught within the system itself and for the staff working within it.

There is a strong evidence base to support trauma-informed ways of working, but they often remain elusive in criminal justice policies, procedures, and commissioning processes. We seek to address this gap and advocate for a kinder, fairer, and more compassionate system that moves away from punishment towards accountability and support — allowing people to exit the system feeling empowered and able to live the lives they desire.

Branch Lead: Shelley Shaw

Hi, I’m Shelley and I am a co-founder of the Trauma Network. I have previously worked in commissioning for vulnerable children and families and led the Together for Childhood programme for 8 years to prevent child sexual abuse. I am currently an Associate for the Bluestar Project and my role is focused on system change for children who have been sexually abused to ensure they get support, particularly with a focus on pre-trial therapy.

I’m really excited to be involved in this Branch as I believe we can learn the most from people who have experienced the Justice system, and together identify opportunities for progressing it to be more trauma informed.

Branch Lead:

Sue Hawley

Hi, I‘m Sue and I’m currently employed as a Co Production Project Worker with Improving Lives Plymouth for the Changing Futures project. Before this I was a peer researcher on the same project for 2 years. I am, and have, been a member of The Trauma Informed Plymouth Network for 7 years. I am a person with lived experience of the Youth Justice system, and this is what has led me to have a passion for working with the system to bring about more trauma informed practices.

I am very excited to be a part of this branch and hope that the work we do together will bring about lasting changes to benefit those multiply disadvantaged by trauma.

Branch Lead: Patrick Cunningham

Hi, I’m Patrick. I’m Irish born but grew up mainly in London before relocating to Plymouth in July 2016. I’ve lived all over this country, but Plymouth is the first place I’ve called home. I’m the eldest of 7 children, which includes 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I went back into education at the ripe old age of 46, where I did my GCSE in numeracy and literacy, plus an access course in Social sciences and then attended the university of Plymouth where I completed a degree in criminology and criminal justice studies.

I’m an advocate for 12 step recovery program and will be 11 years in recovery as of 16 of July, 2025.

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Extensive work has been done to build connections and relationships that prioritise psychological safety. This has cultivated safe enough spaces to welcome members with vastly different experiences of the justice system to collaborate. Setting conditions for success that everyone has a role in creating was an important part of that.

Reflecting together using a strengths-based approach underpins the work of all Network branches. Here, the justice branch members collate ideas on how to build on what is already strong.

Become a branch member!

* Note that by becoming a branch member you will also become a member of the

Trauma Network, and therefore may occasionally receive Network wide communications.

Join our movement for change

Our ambition is for Plymouth to be a trauma-informed city. Our independent network is open to anyone connected with Plymouth with a desire to learn about and promote trauma informed ways of being. You too can join our Network and help Plymouth become a safer and kinder place, where the impact of trauma and adversity is both recognised and responded to with sensitivity and compassion.

Become a member