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Latin America
IJM Colombia creates a board game to help officers respond to violence
February, 2025, COLOMBIA – IJM Colombia is getting creative! The team has recently created a board game called Neurocit, to help officers and justice system workers connect with their emotions, understand trauma better, and strengthen their ability to respond to violence against women and children.
Neurocit is based on the principles of trauma-informed care, a method that helps institutions provide better support to people affected by violence.
Each activity helps players understand how the brain reacts to trauma, while it also helps develop skills to offer more compassionate and effective support.
“The goal of the game is to reduce the stress and emotional toll that comes from being exposed to other people’s trauma.
“But beyond that, it’s about encouraging officers to slow down…When they manage their emotions better, they make better decisions,” explains L. Sandoval, Trauma Informed Care Specialist and one of the game’s creators.
Since its launch, Neurocit has also been used by a social worker at a municipal hospital to promote staff self-care, and by a psychologist with their patients.
“We have seen how flexible the game can be. Even though it was designed for adults, some professionals have successfully used it with kids by leaving out the more intense questions,” says Sandoval.
Beyond being a teaching tool, Neurocit has helped strengthen connections between different organisations involved in victim support.
“Police officers often feel like they’re on their own. But the game has helped them see that other safe spaces exist, like hospitals, where victims can get the care they need,” Sandoval explains.
Neurocit came to life in 2024 following IJM training, when we realized that participants needed practical tools to apply what they were learning in their daily work. IJM pulled insights from previous training sessions, focusing on how the brain processes trauma and the role of safety, empowerment, and connection in healing.
Neurocit has not just trained professionals—it’s sparked a self-care movement within institutions.
“The game is just an excuse to bring staff together, encourage reflection, and create learning moments. But it also helps them in their personal lives,” Sandoval shares.
