An inspector calls: trauma-informed regulation

Area of Science:

• Legal Studies
• Psychology
• Public Administration

Background:

• Regulatory investigations can inflict psychological harm, including trauma, on individuals and their families.
• Regulators face legal and ethical obligations concerning the well-being of those under investigation.
• Existing programs offer limited support for mitigating the adverse effects of regulatory scrutiny.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the harmful effects of regulatory investigations, focusing on trauma.
• To explore the duties and responsibilities of regulators in managing such events.
• To identify and evaluate existing programs for preventing or ameliorating these effects.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on regulatory investigations and trauma.
• Analysis of legal and ethical frameworks governing regulatory bodies.
• Examination of current support programs and their effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Regulatory investigations carry a significant risk of causing trauma to investigated persons and their social circles.
• Regulators have defined legal and ethical duties to address the welfare of individuals impacted by investigations.
• Current preventative and ameliorative programs are insufficient to fully address the trauma experienced.

Conclusions:

• A trauma-informed regulatory practice is proposed as a model for delivering justice.
• This approach can support individuals adversely affected by investigations.
• Implementing trauma-informed practices does not impede a regulator's statutory functions.