This is Part 1 of a three-part series called "Humanising Human Rights" about Ireland's second periodic review before the UN Committee Against Torture in Geneva. It features interviews with civil society groups including the Irish Penal Reform Trust, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Justice for Magdalenes, Survivors of Symphisotomy, Reclaiming Self, Stop IGM, Sage Advocacy and Ar Guth ar Gearta.

There are also interviews with members of the UN Committee against Torture, the Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and human rights expert Professor Siobhan Mullally. State representatives including Michael Donnellan, Director General of the Irish Prison Service and David Stanton, TD who lead the State Delegation in his capacity as Minister for State in the Department of Justice and Equality with responsibility Equality, Integration and Immigration, are also featured.

Humanising Human Rights Part 1

In this extended feature for Law and Justice on UCC 98.3fm, I spoke with Dr Jonathan Tomlinson, a busy GP working in Hoxton who is a trauma-informed practitioner and social advocate who writes a brilliant blog called www.abetternhs.net. We discuss health justice and injustice, how trauma is embodied and yet poorly understood by mainstream medical practice and the opportunities that places like prison might offer for unrecovered trauma survivors to begin the complex process of self-understanding and healing.

Dr Jonathan Tomlinson Law and Justice interview

In this Law and Justice interview I spoke to Fiona Walsh about the issue of psychosocial disabilities, the medical model of treating distress, deprivation of liberty in the psychiatric context and the significance of Ireland's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)

Interview with Fiona Walsh on Ireland's ratification of the UN CRPD

I was thrilled to be asked by my great friends Claire Bruton and Sinead Ring to read this beautiful Maya Angelou poem as the final reading at their delightful wedding in Smock Alley Theatre on Friday August 10th, 2018.

"Touched by an Angel" by Maya Angelou

In this extended feature about children's mental health, I speak with Liz Gregory the author of the tremendous blog, https://weneedtotalkaboutchildrensmentalhealth.wordpress.com/. Liz is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with an keen interest in fostering the well-being and flourishing of children. She is "passionate about prevention, early intervention and halting the medicalisation of understandable distress in children." We discuss stress, distress, families, ecological context, systems, schools, the role of relationships, resilience and the opportunities and dangers of the #ACEs movement.

Interview on children's mental health with Elizabeth Gregory,  Consultant Clinical Psychologist

In this extended interview with Scotsman, Kevin Neary, founder of Aid & Abet, we discuss the challenges of safely transitioning from prison back into society, childhood trauma, addiction, offending behaviour, recovery, the need for comprehensive, relationship-based community supports, the utility of the Adverse Childhood Experience evidence, neuroscience developments and the ACE Aware Nation movement in Scotland, how "lived experience" has become another label and the healing power of relationships.

Law and Justice interview with Kevin Neary from Aid & Abet

This Law and Justice special was recorded live at the "Towards an ACE-Aware, trauma-responsive Ireland" event at Bewley's Cafe Theatre in Dublin on November 28th, 2018. The event, organised in conjunction with the Irish ACEs and Trauma-informed Forum, was kindly sponsored by Senator Lynn Ruane. It was an open discussion with survivors of childhood trauma. professionals working in the Early Years sector, education, health, addiction, criminal justice and psychotherapy about the desirability of raising public and political awareness of the prevalence and impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Ireland and the need for a collaborative cross sector trauma-responsive approach for better individual and societal outcomes.

The following speakers granted permission for their contributions to be broadcast for a Law and Justice podcast.

Ciara McCarthy, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Primary Care Psychology Service, Health Service Executive  – “It is in the &”

Orla Tuohy, Tusla and Lifestart Foundation - “ACEs and parenting”

Sandra Doody, Teacher – “Supporting children with trauma in the Irish education system”

Dr Cliona Ni Cheallaigh, Consultant at St James' Hospital, “The Cliff Edge of ACEs and Health”

Father Peter McVerry, Peter McVerry Trust – “Homeless and addicted: the scars of childhood traumas”

Wayne Hart, Academic Practitioner with the Bridge Project – “From Trauma to Transformation”

Caroline Gardner, CEO Quality Matters – “Trauma Informed Care training in Ireland”

Patricia Bourke d’Souza, Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer, Somatic Trauma Therapy Ireland – “The importance of stabilisation and safety”.

("The Gang" image is by Luke Alan Seybert, aged 4)

Towards an ACE-Aware, trauma-responsive Ireland

This is a slightly abbreviated recording of a talk I gave in January 2019 in my children's school about the ACEs evidence, manifestations of relational and developmental trauma in the classroom, the importance of creating an environment of safety and emotional regulation so all children can learn and how the teacher child relationship can be a crucial buffer in a child's life, or lead to further relational rupture.

Trauma In The Classroom

This event was an open discussion with survivors of childhood trauma and professionals working in the Early Years sector, education, health, addiction and criminal justice about the desirability of raising public and political awareness of the prevalence and impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Ireland and the need for a collaborative cross sector trauma-responsive approach for better individual and societal outcomes.

There were contributions on attachment and Infant Mental Health, supporting parents with experience of interpersonal trauma, manifestations of trauma in the school setting, the health impacts of childhood adversity, being a child in the care system, surviving child sexual abuse in the home, and ACEs in the Travelling Community.



Contributors :

Tracey Farrell's poem "Open the can of worms" (read by Jane Mulcahy at 1 min 16 secs)

Lord Mayor of Cork, Mick Finn - Poverty and the Adverse Experience of Class (at 6 mins 25 secs)

Catherine Maguire, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Infant Mental Health Specialist, Young Knocknaheeny - The Pre-birth to Three Year Developmental Period: The Makings for a Sturdy or Fragile Start in Life (at 17 mins 20 secs)

Lynda Monaghan, Tusla - Meitheal: Tulsa-led early intervention practice model (at 28 mins 05 secs)

David Cashman, principal of Sundays Well Boys National School - Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness: creating a culture of kindness in schools (at 42 mins 06 secs)

Helen O'Sullivan, Traveller Mental Health Community Worker, Healthy Minds Project - ACEs and the Travelling Community (at 43 mins 45 secs)

Cormac -Reflections on the care system, CAMHS and addiction services (at 1 hour 02 mins 25 secs)

Hazel Katherine Larkin, AASVI - The Long Term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse (at 1 hour 12 mins 03 secs)

Dr Dan Hartnett, Trainee Clinical Psychologist and Maura O'Donovan, psychotherapist with Open Dialogue - Open Dialogue and Trauma Informed Care (at 1 hour 30 mins 10 secs)

Senator Colette Kelliher, Seanad Eireann - Building Resilience … it takes a village (at 1 hour 42 mins 11 secs)

Valerie Wistreich, integrative psychotherapist and group trainer, Insight Mindful and The Well Institute - Get calm and thrive (at 1 hour 57 mins 03 secs)

Dr Anna Marie Naughton, GP with the HSE Homeless Integration Team -  Hidden in plain sight (at 2 hours 07 mins 48 secs)

Jane Mulcahy (event organiser)

Firkin Crane event: Towards an ACE-Aware, trauma-responsive Ireland

In this Law and Justice episode I speak with Dr Stephen Porges about the polyvagal theory, which is hugely influential among trauma practitioners with a specific focus on its relevance to the criminal justice system, including prisons. We discuss Dr Porges's concept of neuroception and what the autonomic nervous system needs to feel safe, as well as the gap between cultural, social and legal understandings of safety and risk. We also discuss the value and limits of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) science and the importance of public education about polyvagal theory, trauma, ACEs and survival responses in order to foster greater self-compassion and social support for survivors.

Law and Justice interview with Dr Stephen Porges: The Science of Safety

In this extended Law and Justice interview with Louise Godlbold on "Trauma and Silence-breaking" we discuss the ongoing Harvey Weinstein trial in New York, re-traumatising aspects of the criminal process for survivors, including aggressive defence lawyer behaviours, misconceptions about "normal" responses to rape and problematic media practices in interviewing survivors. We also discuss matters relating to parenting including attachment, the intergenerational transmission of trauma, the importance of ensuring that parents are adequately resourced financially and relationally to deal with the stressors of child-rearing and the benefits of non-violent communication.

Music:

1st track "Pixelated Pictures" by Vox Liminis (See https://www.voxliminis.co.uk/media/pixelated-pictures/)
2rd track - "Drum Dream" by Marco Brosolo/9
3rd track - "Polyvagal" by Alison Minguez
4th track - "rhythm of your breathing" by Post Holocaust Pop

Law and Justice interview with Louise Godbold: Trauma and Silence-breaking

In this Law and Justice interview I speak to Wayne Hart, an academic practitioner working with a Probation-funded project in Dublin. We discuss the role that education played in his desistance process, poor experiences of education the first-time around due to the impact of childhood trauma and undiagnosed dyslexia. Fear and anger as a teen led to school expulsion and becoming homeless in London at the age of 15. Addiction and imprisonment followed. Wayne powerfully describes how his lived expertise, combined with his academic and work achievements have placed him in a strong position to connect with male offenders with complex needs, helping them to better understand themselves and acquire the tools and hope for a healthier, crime-free future. Wayne also points how that disconnected social policies neither serve the rehabilitation of offenders, nor recovery from addiction.

Law and Justice interview with Wayne Hart: A searching and fearless moral inventory

In the 7th "How to talk policy and influence people" interview in the Law and Justice series with Yvonne Furey, Principal Officer responsible for Criminal Justice Policy in the Department of Justice and Equality, we discuss the role of civil servants in policy formulation, the impact of international human rights mechanisms and the reasons for recent structural reform within the Department and the opportunities presented. We talk about the importance of public consultation in the development of strategies such as the strategy for the criminal justice system that is currently being developed and the value of listening to voices of people with lived experience of various issues, whether victims, offenders or residents of deprived communities. We also discuss the merits of adopting a "whole of government" approach that recognises that public health and Justice issues are connected, with childhood trauma and adversity and structural inequity at the root of complex social problems including crime. See video interview at https://youtu.be/PLh8zNFfpKo

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Yvonne Furey

In the 8th "How to talk policy and influence people" n the Law and Justice series, I talk to Peter Dorman from Community Action Network about his interest in promoting community safety and restorative practices. We explore the principles of community development, the impact of poor housing on wellbeing and the ways in which antisocial behaviour, drug-related crime, racist abuse and living beside chaotic neighbours impinge on people's felt sense of safety in their homes and communities. We address matters relating to human rights, including the challenge of balancing individual rights against collective rights, and the ramifications of a constitutional right to a home. We also discuss the "Building Community Resilience" research conducted by Dr Johnny Connolly from the University of Limerick and the potential use of Community Crime Impact Assessments to measure community safety issues from the point of view of residents, and to develop collaborative problem-solving interventions in response. We consider the need for greater focus on both preventing childhood trauma from occurring and a more compassionate, person-centred approach by services for trauma survivors, and Peter’s enthusiasm for restorative practice. See the video interview at https://youtu.be/yjlnpm9fTw8

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Peter Dorman

In the 9th interview with former Senator Colette Kelleher we chat about her experience of policy-making and the legislative process from inside Seanad Eireann, as well as her earlier work in the community and voluntary sector. We discuss some of Colette's particular interests including reproductive rights and the Repeal the 8th campaign, adult safeguarding, work on family reunification legislation and the rights of Travellers. We also consider the Covid-19 public health crisis and what NGOs and other stakeholders can learn from the State's swift and decisive response to the pandemic in terms of instituting a rent freeze and preventing evictions for the common good. See video interview at https://youtu.be/aPacD5Na370

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Colette Kelleher

In the 10th "How to talk policy and influence people" interview in the Law and Justice series I speak with Ray Byrne, full-time Commissioner at the Law Reform Commission (LRC). We examine the mandate of the LRC, the relevance of public policy, the various ways in which the Commission engages in consultation with interested stakeholders, including in developing its programme for Law Reform, and following the publication of Issues Papers. We also chat about the value of listening to people with lived experience, the conservative approach taken to spent convictions legislation in Ireland and the Commissions early role in this area. We discuss the LRC's work to enhance the clarity and accessibility of legislation on the statute book, and various ongoing research projects. See video interview at https://youtu.be/zDiDL8gjbRo

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Ray Byrne

In the 11th "How to talk policy and influence people" interview in the Law and Justice series, I speak with Dr Pat Bracken, a critical psychiatrist who previously worked in Uganda, the UK and West Cork. We address his dual interests in psychiatry and philosophy and how the latter has ensured that he has always had an inquiry mind, suspicious of certainties and "grand narratives" aiming to have all the answers about mental illness. We talk about his time in Uganda working with torture survivors and the importance of attending to the cultural and ecological context of people's lives. We explore the impact of trauma, whether it is transmitted across generations and the limitations of the dominant biomedical model, which has become the "bio-bio-bio", due to over-reliance on pharmaceutical solutions. We also examine the significance of relationships, including the "therapeutic alliance" in healing and recovery from emotional distress, the value of curiosity in the meaning-making process, the rise of the survivor movement and novel approaches such as Open Dialogue and Hearing Voices. Dr Bracken also provides some concrete examples of need mental health reform in Ireland, including substantial boosting of the "Authorised Officer" role and that all admissions to psychiatric beds would be made through them, but alternatives to hospitalisation would be explored first. See video interview at https://youtu.be/FePCTaMKj3c

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Dr Pat Bracken

In the 12th "How to talk policy and influence people" interview in the Law and Justice series I speak with theatre and opera director Tom Creed. We consider Arts policy and the precarious plight facing artists during the Covid-19 pandemic due to social distancing, the ban on group gatherings and the fact that many live performers essentially work in the "gig economy". We discuss the under-investment in the Arts, the impact of austerity cuts on the Arts, the policy asks of the National Campaign for the Arts, including the need for emergency funding to ensure that there will be a viable Arts sector to assist with meaning-making and story-telling on the other side of the pandemic. We consider the importance of providing access in all schools to artistic pursuits which have been demonstrated to regulate neural state, help with emotional regulation and trauma processing, such as group singing, drumming, dance and theatre. See video interview at https://youtu.be/OYm_7LYy0ME

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Tom Creed

In the 13th "How to talk policy and influence people" interview in the Law and Justice policy with Lorna Bogue a Green Party Councillor in Cork City South East we tackle matters relating to the climate crisis, environmental policy, the impact of Greta Thunberg and the Coronavirus pandemic. We also discuss economics, migration, the indignity of Direct Provision and racism in Ireland. We consider government formation talks between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and the role that the Green Party might play, the need for a radically new political model that supports the many not just the few, and the attractions of anarchism. See the video interview at https://youtu.be/2mN5Kg6BMwY

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Lorna Bogue

In the 14th "How to talk policy and influence people" interview in the Law and Justice series, I speak with Michelle Murphy from Social Justice Ireland. We discuss social justice, the impact of educational, health and housing inequality on individuals and groups, the need for the government to commit to improving outcomes for the Travelling community and the merits of a State apology for cultural trauma and systemic discrimination. We also chat about the importance of environmental justice, listening to people with lived experience when formulating policy, and post-Covid 19 investment in public services by the State. We also address the importance of research and evidence in the policy-making process, discuss why the academic community should play a more active role in policy development and consider why some academics might be reluctant to get involved. See https://youtu.be/s1W0V_0M1Gw

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Michelle Murphy

In this first international interview in the "How to talk policy and influence people" in the Law and Justice series with Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, we discuss mental health, the intersection of mental health problems and offending behaviour, the establishment of the America's first mental health court in Florida and Judge Lerner-Wren's "presiding with kindness" approach to dispensing justice in that Broward County court, in which respect for human rights and individual dignity are fundamental principles. We address the impact of trauma and the importance of Felitti and Anda's seminal 1998 study on the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on health outcomes, including matters relating to depression, anxiety and suicide risk. We also discuss Covid-19 and court innovations relating to bail applications that have been driven by the need to minimise unnecessary incarceration during the pandemic.

"How to talk policy and influence people": an interview with Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren

In this 2nd international interview in the "How to talk policy and influence people" series of Law and Justice, I speak with Dr Wendy Ellis, Director of the Center for Community Resilience at The Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University. We discuss journalism, data gathering, analysis and stories. We talk about the significance of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) evidence, resilience/protective factors, structural inequity, adverse community environments, the "Pair of ACEs" graphic and the Building Community Resilience (BCR) model. We talk about race, social mobility, food insecurity, housing quality and affordability in terms of public health outcomes. We explore how deliberate social policies in the United States have led to the Covid-19-related high death-toll among African American and other marginalised groups. We examine the controversial issue of screening for ACEs, and whether the ACEs questionnaire is a suitable diagnostic tool. We also discuss the importance of raising public awareness about the impact of ACEs and how an overdose of stressors - especially in the absence of an emotional buffer in childhood - can cause dysregulation of the stress response system, with drug abuse and mental health problems emerging as normal, predictable consequences of toxic stress.

"How to talk policy and influence people": a Law and Justice interview with Dr Wendy Ellis

I returned to college (University College Cork) in 2015 and decided to try something brand new - hence my venture into campus radio. This lead to the "Law and Justice" podcast, which was a year-long co-production between 98.3FM and the UCC Law Department. I'm now doing that podcast independently, to better fit in with my busy life.   I successfully defended my PhD in Law with funding from the Irish Research Council and Probation Service on post-release supervision of long sentence male offenders in May 2020. I am married to Keith and have two feisty bundles of joy, Aurora and Luke. I love theatre, music and trying to understand the human condition and "challenging behaviour".

Law and Justice with Jane Mulcahy

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