Trauma Shapes Justice, Not Excuses | Spokane News

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Jul 5, 2026 · 1m

Kurtis Robinson, Spokane’s first elected activist on the Criminal Justice Training Commission, brings a powerful new voice to reform—centered on trauma’s deep, lasting impact. Experts like Bessel van der Kolk and Resmaa Menakem reveal how trauma binds our minds and bodies in survival patterns, leaving us “stuck.” With 70% of people experiencing trauma—individual, collective, or structural—research from WHO, CDC, and Kaiser shows childhood trauma is widespread. These responses, though natural, don’t erase harm—especially when layered with racism and classism. Understanding trauma isn’t about…