Ziwei Qi’s research while affiliated with Fort Hays State University and other places

i>This study explores trauma-informed practices within courtroom settings in a Midwestern state, comparing urban and rural judicial districts through in-depth field observations. Using a semi-structured observational approach, we examined courtroom dynamics, environmental factors, and community influences to assess how trauma-informed design principles are applied. Our findings reveal notable contrasts: rural courtrooms grappled with resource limitations and conservative cultural influences, while urban settings displayed a fast-paced, often impersonal atmosphere. Socio-political factors, such as community values and political symbolism, emerged as significant influences on courtroom practices, shaping the receptiveness and implementation of trauma-informed approaches. Guided by Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis framework, we identified themes including resource constraints, courtroom decorum, community socio-political influences, and privacy considerations. The study highlights the need for adaptive trauma-informed policies and judicial training that account for socio-cultural differences, advocating for increased support to rural jurisdictions to enhance the implementation of trauma-informed judicial practices</i

This study investigates the implementation of trauma-informed practices in various court settings, including juvenile and adult courtrooms, as well as specialized cases in areas such as family courts, domestic reconciliation, protection orders, and child in need of care (CINC) cases, within a single Midwestern state in the United States. The study targeted one rural and one urban judicial district. The authors sought to assess if, and how these practices are utilized to create an environment and workplace that fosters a needs-based, survivor-centered, resilience-building courtroom. Drawing from a holistic perspective on trauma and survivor-centered practices, this study utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis and courtroom field observations (in-person and virtual) with key personnel within the legal system, including judges, attorneys, court services, and community corrections officers. Our study revealed significant variations in implementing trauma-informed strategies across different court types and the urban-rural demographic spectrum. Moreover, the research highlights a significant paradox in courtroom proceedings—the tension between the demands for a speedy trial and efficiency and the time required to offer care, empathy, and a trauma-informed approach. This conflict stresses the necessity for a careful balance that upholds justice while considering the traumas experienced by individuals and the requisite care for all parties involved. Our findings serve as a clarion call for the continuous education of legal professionals in both rural and urban jurisdictions on trauma-informed practices. Equally important is the fostering of a cultural transformation towards a trauma-informed courtroom and the creation of teams that prioritize trauma-informed practices, ensuring that all personnel and stakeholders have equal access to training and resources.

While the public debates whether law enforcement has a problem with mis- or over-using force, the field lacks critical information concerning how often officers use force when interacting with citizens. Moreover, researchers have not examined how differences in how states restrict officers’ ability to use force affect the frequency of force used. Consequently, the various reforms proposed have little evidence supporting them. Using data from Mapping Police Violence combined with census data, we examined the impact of the incorporation of U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence and the overall restrictiveness each state placed on law enforcement’s ability to use force when making an arrest and what constituted reasonable force within each state. We found that while the state’s population size and violent crime rate were strong predictors of the number and rate of officer-involved deaths (OIDs), state statutory restrictions on use of force had negligible effects. This has important implications for reforming state and national discussions around reforming use of force.

Gender-based violence (GBV) takes many forms, including direct physical, psychological, emotional and economic abuse, and indirect abuses such as intentional gender blindness. These actions, or inactions, can have detrimental effects across generations and cultures. The triangulation of GBV, rurality and rural culture has become a challenging, yet essential, topic. The discussion on rural crime is also timely and urgent when considering most criminological theories in the Western world focus on urban settings. Since the definition of rural and rurality differs worldwide, the study of the phenomena of violence and rurality needs innovative, sophisticated and up-to-date methodologies. In this text, readers explore the most current research about GBV in the United States with implications that can be applied internationally, with chapters utilising qualitative and quantitative methods. Chapters are rich and diverse in topics, focused on oppressed groups such as immigrants and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual and ally plus (LGBTQIA+), by exploring new theories on the patterns of violence with a spotlight on patriarchy. Chapters examine best practices to positively affect the lives of survivors – moving from policy review into actionable change. The text collects a series of research and agency reports that provide a holistic view of GBV in rural communities. The text also emphasises insights on the prevention and education of GBV from youth to college-aged adults. The text introduces interdisciplinary approaches (such as community justice and non-profit victim advocacy work) to tackle intersectional issues of GBV in rural areas.

Gender-based violence (GBV) has profound effects on victims in rural areas due to culturally constructed gender roles, the density of acquaintanceship, the stigma of abuse and poverty, a lack of access to housing and services, and other challenges. It is important to examine and explore theories of violence in rural communities and provide policy recommendations to service providers to better respond to unique circumstances. The current text is a new addition to understanding GBV in rural America. Issues of domestic violence and sexual assault in rural communities have not been well studied due to a lack of accessible data and seminal mainstream criminological research focused on densely populated areas. As an example, feminist criminology has helped advance the academic understanding of GBV, providing a critical framework for understanding patriarchy and gender-specific issues. Other concerns, such as the geopolitics and lack of services and legal support that tend to reinforce violence, victimisation and girls’ delinquencies, are emerging issues in the field of rural justice. Researchers and practitioners are eager to understand the causes and provide effective policies to address the recurring problems.

Gender-based violence (GBV) can take many forms and have detrimental effects across generations and cultures. The triangulation of GBV, rurality and rural culture is a challenging and essential topic and this edited collection provides an innovative analysis of GBV in rural communities. Focusing on under-studied and/or oppressed groups such as immigrants and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, the book explores new theories on patterns of violence. Giving insights into GBV education and prevention, the text introduces community justice and victim advocacy approaches to tackling issues of GBV in rural areas. From policy review into actionable change, the authors examine best practices to positively affect the lives of survivors.