Understanding Trauma Through the River of Cruelty Model

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Audra Fullerton, Program Director of the Peaceful Families Program at the Family Peace Initiative, and Sheri Shideler, a graduate of the program, present the “River of Cruelty” model and discuss how it was used in the curriculum at the Topeka Correctional Facility in Topeka, KS.

The Peaceful Families Program is a trauma-informed program that served women who are incarcerated. Using many of the principles and approaches of our Family Peace Initiative curriculum, this program helped participants begin to process through the adverse experiences and traumatic events that are far too common for imprisoned women. Using the “River of Cruelty” model as a foundation, the Peaceful Families Program has proven to be a transformative process for many of those the program has served.

Resources:

PowerPoint Presentation

River of Cruelty Info Sheet

River of Cruelty Map

Family Peace Initiative (FPI) Approach

FPI Peaceful Families Program Outcomes

FPI website

FPI Blog

FPI Video Toolbox