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    • Treating Trauma Contributes to Reducing Violence and Killing

    August 2010. Amidst views of the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem, a class of 23 students from around the world, including CGNK Leadership Team member Katherine Li, learned how trauma treatment can serve as a preventive strategy to reduce violence and killing.

    In recognition of the importance of understanding trauma as a way of preventing violence and killing, for two weeks CGNK Leadership Team member Katherine Li attended the International Summer Program offered by the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma. Classes were held at Hebrew University Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem. Amidst views of the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem, our class of 23 students from around the globe learned about trauma from the Israeli perspective. Theories of coping, PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), ASD (Acute Stress Disorder) and other related distress were introduced. The major areas of trauma addressed included trauma from a developmental perspective (with a focus on early childhood and trauma), medical trauma, the trauma of war & terrorism, and parenting in traumatic environments. From trauma, the course moved into Resilience from Theory to Practice. After an experiential workshop, presenters discussed current projects which include working with survivors of the Holocaust and inter-generational trauma as well. A visit to Yad Vashem (the Holocaust museum) brought the stories to life. Another field trip included Rahat where we learned of the effect on Bedouin living under a policy of forced settlement known as social transformation. As part of the Center's action initiatives, Resilience programs are being implemented in schools to build capacity in the community. We also visited the Bedouin Center to learn more about the history and culture of the Bedouin people. Close to Gaza, the "Parents Place" in Sderot was built with the vision to strengthen the capacity of parents living under the continuous threat of missile attacks. Our group noted that similar projects take place in Gaza. In such ways, these grassroots organizations are working to transform trauma and conflict in both Palestinian and Israeli communities. Finally we learned of an innovative program called "The Soldiers' Project" which brings people who have served in the same unit together to build resilience and peace of mind through experiential and narrative processes. All in all, through research, training and implementation through action, the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma continues to develop programs that address trauma and build resilience which contributes to reducing violence and killing. The Center for Global Nonkilling will continue to track this important arena of research as it contributes to new approaches to nonkilling programs and policies. For more information, please see the following links. www.traumaweb.org and http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/pages/Israel-Center-for-the-Treatment-of-Psychotrauma/216913704429?ref=ts.