Lawyer Links Trauma to Cycle of Violence in Peoria

PEORIA, Ill. — A local criminal defense attorney believes that past traumatic experiences greatly contribute to ongoing cycles of violence in communities. Susan O’Neal, who has decades of legal experience, made her remarks during a recent court session as she defended a young man convicted of involvement in a shooting incident.

On Monday, O’Neal represented Jamal Porter, a 24-year-old who was convicted for his role in a shooting that occurred in May 2024. O’Neal highlighted that Porter has faced significant trauma in his life, including being shot three times before turning 20 and suffering a paralyzing gun injury in July 2020.

O’Neal stated that her entire client base has histories of trauma. “Trauma plays a big part in how people can carry on the rest of their lives,” she said. She pointed out that limited research supports the idea that individuals who experience violence or poverty are more prone to end up in the criminal justice system.

“The statistics show not a very good life trajectory — prison, death, early death, underemployment, unemployment,” O’Neal explained. She emphasized the need for outside support, such as counseling, to help mitigate these longstanding effects.

Further, O’Neal observed that the Southside neighborhood, or the 61605 zip code, is among the poorest areas in Illinois. She noted that a lack of resources, education, and positive male role models can severely impact youth in the area.

In her efforts to address these challenges, O’Neal is also a member of Peoria’s Racial, Justice, and Equity Commission. She shared that the commission is working on compiling a list of local organizations that provide resources for young people, which they aim to release later this year.