A domestic abuse survivor enters the courthouse and immediately feels overwhelmed by the harsh fluorescent lighting and echoing corridors. The crowded, open waiting area forces her to sit near strangers, causing her anxiety to spike as she has no sense of privacy or control. With confusing signage and unclear pathways, she becomes disoriented, intensifying her feelings of vulnerability and fear, reminding her of past traumatic experiences where she felt powerless.
A witness to gang activity feels his heart race as he takes the stand in a poorly designed courtroom where the witness stand is uncomfortably close to the defense attorney’s table. The proximity to the defense lawyer, who represents the gang members he fears, makes him feel exposed and vulnerable, triggering memories of threats and intimidation. With no clear physical or emotional separation, the witness struggles to focus on his testimony, overwhelmed by a sense of fear and unease exasperated by the courtroom's intimidating layout.
These two examples demonstrate how a courthouse experience can trigger past trauma. Someone who has experienced trauma can feel more at ease in a courthouse that incorporates trauma-informed design (TiD). The goal of TiD is to create spaces that prioritize safety, comfort, and well-being by considering the emotional and psychological needs of individuals who have experienced trauma.
In recent years, the concept of TiD has gained significant traction, particularly in environments like courthouses where stress and anxiety are prevalent. By incorporating TiD principles, courthouses can transform into spaces that promote healing and reduce anxiety for all who enter. This article will delve into the importance of TiD in courthouses and explore how these principles can be integrated into courthouse planning.
What is Trauma-informed Design?
TiD is an approach that seeks to create environments that accommodate the needs of individuals who have experienced trauma. It acknowledges the impact of trauma on individuals and aims to create spaces that are supportive and non-triggering (i.e., do not cause re-trauma). This design philosophy goes beyond aesthetics, focusing on the emotional and psychological well-being of users.
Why is it Important in Courthouses?
Courthouses are inherently stressful places. They often evoke anxiety and fear due to the nature of the activities that take place within them. For individuals who have experienced trauma, these feelings can be exacerbated. By employing TiD principles, courthouses can become more welcoming and less intimidating.
Safety and Security
A primary goal of TiD is to create a sense of safety and security. This can be achieved through thoughtful layout and design choices that minimize confusion and ensure clear navigation. For example, open and well-lit spaces can reduce feelings of confinement and vulnerability.
Empowerment and Control
Providing individuals with a sense of control can greatly reduce anxiety. In the context of courthouse design, this might involve offering multiple seating options or clear signage that enables individuals to navigate the space independently. Empowering users by giving them choices can help mitigate feelings of helplessness.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Universal design is a cornerstone of TiD, ensuring that spaces are accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. This is particularly important in courthouses, where accessibility can directly impact an individual's ability to participate in legal proceedings. Incorporating ramps (of lifts), clear signage, and assistive listening devices can make courthouses more inclusive.
Connection to Nature
Incorporating elements of nature into courthouse design can have a calming effect on users. This can be achieved through natural lighting, indoor plants, or views of outdoor spaces. The presence of nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall well-being, making it an essential component of TiD.
Designing for Diverse Needs
Courthouse planning must consider the diverse needs of its users, including victims, families, legal professionals, and staff. By involving a wide range of stakeholders in the design process, planners can ensure that the resulting space meets the needs of all users. This collaborative approach can help identify potential stressors and mitigate them through thoughtful design.
While it is impossible to have all stakeholders participate in the courthouse planning process, a core focus should be on the executives for each court component and related agency in the building. They know their clientele and can discuss special needs. The key is facilitating this discussion during the planning process so that trauma-related concepts can be integrated into the design.
In addition, planning sessions should be held beyond the executives of courthouse tenants. A courthouse is a public building, and representation is important. Community groups should also be considered in the planning process, especially if they are routinely in the courthouse. Examples include victim/witness groups, legal aid services, self-help centers, pro bono clinics, court navigator programs, and the Bar Association. These groups can participate in facilitated sessions or, at a minimum, have their input gathered via surveys.
Incorporating Technology
Technology can play a significant role in supporting TiD. For example, virtual check-ins and wayfinding apps can reduce the stress of navigating large and complex buildings. Additionally, providing private spaces for virtual consultations can offer a sense of privacy and control to individuals who may be experiencing heightened anxiety.
Creating Welcoming Spaces
The first impression of a courthouse can set the tone for an individual's experience. Designing welcoming entryways with comfortable seating, calming colors, and informational displays can help put users at ease. The goal is to create an environment that feels approachable and supportive from the moment someone walks through the door.
In a recent courthouse tour, I noticed the clerk’s office had large glass entry doors that allowed natural light into the lobby from the windows across the public hallway. The walls were painted pale blue and included painted on inspirational quotes. The public seating was arranged to allow people to sit in the more crowded center area or off to one side for more privacy. The signs were clear on where to file and pay. There was a consultation room accessible to the public for more private conversations. Plants were located on either side of the lobby and behind the counter in the staff spaces. A kiosk was against the wall with a message that said, “Welcome.”
This experience showed me that purposeful design and interior decorating can effectively be incorporated into new courthouses or renovation projects. This office was calming and inviting for people anxiously going through legal proceedings.
Here are some ways that TiD can be applied to different courthouse spaces
Courthouse Lobby and Public Areas
Welcoming and Calming Atmosphere: Use of soft lighting, natural materials, and calming colors in the lobby and public hallways can help reduce anxiety and create a more welcoming environment for individuals entering the courthouse. The lobby could also include natural elements, like plantings or a water feature, and reflect the local community through displayed art.
Clear, Accessible Information: Easy-to-read signage and information kiosks placed in visible locations guide individuals through the lobby and hallways with minimal confusion, providing a sense of control and reducing stress.
Designated Quiet Zones: Separate areas with comfortable seating and lower noise levels offer spaces where individuals can wait in privacy and safety, away from the high-traffic and noise of the main lobby.
Courtrooms
Accessible and Clear Courtroom Layout: Designing the courtroom with clear sightlines and accessible paths, including for individuals with mobility challenges, ensures that all participants can navigate the space comfortably, reducing confusion and stress.
Acoustic Control and Soundproofing: Incorporating soundproofing materials to reduce echoes and outside noise helps create a quieter, more focused environment, minimizing auditory distractions that could heighten anxiety for trauma survivors.
Clerk’s Office
Private Interaction Spaces: Incorporating semi-private booths or counters with privacy screens allows individuals to discuss sensitive matters with the clerk without feeling exposed to others, fostering a sense of safety and confidentiality. A consultation room off the lobby can provide further privacy for sensitive conversations.
Calming Design Elements: Using soothing colors, soft lighting, and comfortable seating in the waiting area can help reduce anxiety while individuals wait for assistance, making the space feel more supportive and less transactional.
Clear Signage and Process Explanations: Providing clear, easy-to-understand signage and visual aids that explain the steps and processes involved in filing paperwork helps reduce confusion and empowers individuals, particularly those who may feel overwhelmed or disoriented by legal proceedings.
General Courthouse Maintenance
Well-Maintained Lighting: Ensuring that all lighting is consistent and functional, without flickering or harsh brightness, helps create a stable and calming environment, reducing potential triggers for trauma survivors.
Quiet, Smooth-Operating Doors: Regular maintenance of doors to prevent loud squeaks or sudden slams can prevent startling noises that might increase anxiety or stress.
Clean and Orderly Public Spaces: Keeping hallways, waiting areas, and courtrooms clean, organized, and free of clutter provides a sense of structure and safety, helping individuals feel more at ease and less overwhelmed in their surroundings.
Enhanced User Experience
By prioritizing the psychological well-being of users, TiD can enhance the overall experience of individuals interacting with the judicial system. Reduced stress and anxiety can lead to more positive impressions of the legal process.
Improved Staff Well-being
Courthouse staff, including judges, lawyers, and clerks, also benefit from TiD. A supportive and calming environment can improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout, ultimately leading to better service for the public.
Increased Community Trust
When courthouses are designed with the community's well-being in mind, it fosters trust and confidence in the legal system. People are more likely to view the courthouse as a place of fairness and justice when their needs and experiences are considered.
Incorporating TiD in courthouse planning is essential for creating environments that foster safety, empowerment, and well-being. By emphasizing accessibility, privacy, and a connection to nature, courthouses can actively support individuals' emotional needs while reducing stress and anxiety. Moving forward, adopting TiD principles ensures that courthouses are not just spaces of justice, but also inclusive environments that promote healing and a sense of security for all who enter.