Through her Churchill Fellowship, Ruth Oshikanlu explored youth violence as a public health and trauma crisis, rather than simply a criminal justice issue. Travelling to the USA and Australia, she learned from police officers, nurses, teachers, psychologists, community healers, young people, families, and Indigenous Elders about what it takes to build trauma-responsive systems. She is now using this learning to develop a Trauma-Responsive Community Network in her local borough, bringing together those who work with children and young people to create safer, more connected support.
By Ruth Oshikanlu, 2026
