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Trauma & Law Research Brief

Spring 2026 Edition

In this issue:

  • Key research and Canadian legal developments in trauma and intimate partner violence

  • News from the MindSense team

  • Upcoming training, masterclass, and CPD accreditation news

Issue 1 - June 2026
Dr Carlos Nuñez

A Note From Dr. Nuñez

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our quarterly newsletter!

My name is Carlos Nuñez. I am the Chief Psychiatrist for MindSense Canada, where we are committed to providing assessments that are evidence-informed and conducted within a comprehensive trauma-informed approach. Our unique services not only help reduce secondary harm for survivors of trauma but also strengthen the reliability and credibility of the data collected and presented in our reports.

This newsletter has been developed for stakeholders working with abuse-related cases. We hope to equip you with meaningful updates on the latest medical research, legal developments, and practical considerations to advance trauma-informed practices.

At MindSense, we are evolving alongside the field of trauma science and its impact on the courts. We hope you find this newsletter useful to your work, and that it continues to offer substantial insight by filtering the most important updates for you.

I’m excited to take part in this new service, and I look forward to continuing this conversation in future editions.

Thank you for working with us.

Carlos Nuñez MD

Article & Case Highlights

The Hidden Cost of Childhood Trauma: Economic Consequences Into Adulthood

A landmark study tracking survivors of documented childhood abuse and neglect into middle adulthood found they earned nearly $8,000 less per year than their peers - with a 14% employment gap that persisted even after controlling for background factors.

Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia

In a landmark 6-3 ruling in May, the Supreme Court of Canada created a new tort of intimate partner violence - a historic first that allows survivors to pursue civil damages for coercive and controlling behaviour beyond physical violence. A significant shift in how Canadian law addresses the full spectrum of domestic abuse.

Wesley v British Columbia

A newly certified class action against the Province of BC and the federal government, brought by survivors of systemic sexual, physical, and mental abuse suffered while detained at an industrial home for girls. The case breaks important ground with a dedicated Indigenous subclass addressing cultural assimilation alongside physical and sexual harm.

Tulasne v. Rozon

In a significant March 2026 ruling, eight plaintiffs were awarded $880,000 in damages against Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon - and the presiding judge explicitly rejected outdated myths and stereotypes about survivors of sexual assault. The decision reflects a growing shift in the Canadian legal landscape.

News At MindSense

MindSense at the 2026 Justice as Trauma Summit

MindSense at the 2026 Justice as Trauma Summit

Matthew J. Lau represented MindSense Canada at the Justice as Trauma Summit in Vancouver - an Indigenous-led gathering centered on the theme Radical Hope. Joining leaders across legal, clinical, and community spaces, Matt engaged with some of the most pressing conversations happening at the intersection of justice and healing.

Learn More About The Event
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MindSense on the Road: Conferences & Conversations

Over the past couple of months, MindSense has been proud to attend and sponsor several of Canada's leading legal conferences - including TLABC, She Matters 2026, and OTLA. We love meeting the people doing this work. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on where we'll be next.

Follow MindSense on LinkedIn

What's Ahead at MindSense

Trauma-Informed Training for Your Organization

Organizations working with survivors - whether in legal, clinical, or community settings - benefit enormously from teams trained in trauma-informed practice. Approaching disclosures, assessments, and client interactions with a trauma lens reduces secondary harm and improves outcomes across the board. MindSense offers tailored training sessions for organizations looking to build or deepen that capacity. If you're interested in booking a session for your team, we'd love to hear from you.

Upcoming Masterclass with Dr. Nuñez

"Trauma-Informed Practices for IMEs and Report Writing: Improving Methodological Accuracy in Trauma and Abuse Assessments" - this masterclass is designed specifically for medical experts working in medico-legal contexts. Dr. Nuñez will address practical approaches to improving methodological rigour when assessing trauma and abuse - including considerations that are often missed in standard IME frameworks. Check your inbox for an email from our team last week.

CPD Accreditation - Coming Soon

We're pleased to share that MindSense is currently working toward CPD accreditation for our professional development programming. We're excited about what this will mean for the professionals we work with and will share more details as that process progresses.

Thank you for reading our first Spring Edition

The work happening across legal, clinical, and community spaces gives us reason for genuine optimism - and we're proud to be part of it. We'll be back with more updates, research, and reflections as the year unfolds.

Until next time,

The MindSense Canada Team

 

Contact Us

To discuss tailored education or access our events and webinars, reach out to us at: info@mindsensepsychiatry.ca

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Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we are operating on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. We are grateful to live and work on these lands, and we recognize the enduring presence of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

 

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