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FASD & Justice: The Ethical Case for Effective Training and Knowledge Mobilization Practices for Frontline Justice Professionals in Canada

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Adults: Ethical and Legal Perspectives

Part of the book series: International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine ((LIME,volume 63))

Abstract

Although FASD is first and foremost a health issue, it is a consideration in the justice system because individuals with FASD have contact as victims, witnesses and offenders. This chapter will draw on research with justice professionals to argue that there is an ethical need, and indeed an obligation, for appropriate training to better prepare police to work with clients that have FASD. By illustrating the ways in which many frontline workers misunderstand FASD, coupled with the stigma associated to FASD, this chapter argues that individuals with FASD have unique needs and the stakes in the justice system are simply too high to not have appropriate training in place to meet those needs.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    http://fasdprevention.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/thinking-about-fear-based-vs-support-based-awareness-campaigns/.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada

    Michelle Stewart

Authors
  1. Michelle Stewart
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michelle Stewart .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Consulting Psychology Associates, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Monty Nelson

  2. Office of the Ethics Commissioner, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Marguerite Trussler

Appendix A: Interview Guide

Appendix A: Interview Guide

  1. 1.

    What is your understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

  2. 2.

    How prevalent is FASD in your area?

  3. 3.

    How did you acquire this knowledge or understanding?

  4. 4.

    Is FASD considered to be an important consideration in policing in your area?

  5. 5.

    What if any local agencies are called upon to assist with FASD client?

  6. 6.

    How is FASD information or knowledge transferred to local officers?

  7. 7.

    Is FASD training conducted in your police office? If yes, please explain the training.

  8. 8.

    Is there a particular local network of FASD expertise in the area?

  9. 9.

    Are there any resources offered by province or federal government to assist police with local FASD networks or practices?

  10. 10.

    What, in your opinion, is the role of police in FASD client care and management?

  11. 11.

    Is there someone in your community that you believe you can turn to for information if needed?

  12. 12.

    If there were one suggestion you could make to have an impact on those who work with FASD clients what would it be?

  13. 13.

    In Addition: What resources do you think would be helpful to assist officers who do come into contact with individuals with FASD?

  14. 14.

    Can you say how long you have been on the force?

  15. 15.

    During your time on the police force can you think of a time when you had to deal with a client with FASD? If yes, please explain how you knew and if this effected how you engaged with them?

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Stewart, M. (2016). FASD & Justice: The Ethical Case for Effective Training and Knowledge Mobilization Practices for Frontline Justice Professionals in Canada. In: Nelson, M., Trussler, M. (eds) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Adults: Ethical and Legal Perspectives. International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine, vol 63. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20866-4_12

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