Trauma and Violence Informed Practices in Victim Services: A Comparative Review

Abstract

Trauma and Violence Informed Practices (TVIP) mark a critical shift in the delivery of victim services by acknowledging not only the psychological impact of interpersonal violence but also the structural and systemic conditions that perpetuate harm. Positioned within a victimological framework, this paper explores the evolution of TVIP from its clinical and community-based roots to its institutional applications across justice, health, and social care systems. Through a comparative examination of Canada, the United States, and Australia, the study identifies key strategies such as inter-agency collaboration, culturally responsive service design, and survivor-led engagement that have enabled the integration of TVIP principles into diverse legal and social infrastructures. The analysis demonstrates how these countries have begun embedding trauma awareness into routine operations, despite the challenges in standardization, accessibility, and sustainability. Drawing from these insights, the paper critically examines the Indian context, where services for survivors of gender-based violence and legal mechanisms exist but often lack trauma-informed orientation. The paper argues that localizing TVIP in India requires both systemic reform and cultural adaptation, particularly in how police, judiciary, and support services engage with women and children experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Ultimately, the paper positions TVIP as a foundational approach to survivor-centered justice, one that transcends procedural assistance to affirm dignity, safety, and empowerment as core institutional values. By foregrounding the lived experiences of survivors, the study advocates for the urgent integration of TVIP within India's evolving victim assistance ecosystem.