DSW Showcase Student Presentation

In juvenile detention centers across the country, young individuals often become statistics—file numbers overshadowing personal narratives. Consider Marcus, a 14-year-old whose defiance masks generations of unaddressed trauma. Arrested for playing basketball on school grounds after hours, his story spiraled from suspension to expulsion, ultimately landing him in juvenile detention. Marcus’s story isn’t unique; it reflects countless youth caught in the juvenile justice pipeline due to generational trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This presentation examines the intersection of generational trauma, ACEs, and the juvenile justice system through both clinical and systemic lenses. Drawing on contemporary research and evidence-based practices, we’ll explore how historical and structural inequities perpetuate cycles of trauma, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. We’ll delve into how trauma embeds across generations, shaping developmental paths, behaviors, and justice system involvement. Attendees will engage with trauma-informed, culturally sensitive frameworks designed to disrupt these cycles. The focus will be on early intervention, systemic advocacy, and policy reforms that address both the symptoms and root causes of trauma. The goal is to shift from punitive responses to healing and resilience, recognizing that each youth’s potential extends far beyond their current circumstances. While juvenile incarceration rates have declined, racial disparities persist. Black youth are 4.7 times more likely to be held in juvenile facilities than their white peers (The Sentencing Project). If you want to understand the “why” and see the faces behind the numbers, this presentation is for you.