Intermediate Transcultural Space (ITCS) An intergenerational and multicultural approach to violence and trauma in New Caledonia

Abstract

This article reports findings from four group experiments in New Caledonia. They have as a common denominator: the ‘Intermediate Transcultural Space’ as inspired by Winnicott (1971) that all feature the themes of violence, the influence of culture and support group therapy. They all take place over a period of 10 years of practice. I continued to develop each of these group formats until I eventually arrived at an intergenerational, multicultural group for adolescents with a record of violence and criminal offences who fell within the remit of the French Child and Youth Judicial Protection Service along with the Kanak Custody Senate. The group offers an accessible landing stage that allows the young people to move forward along the long road of restoring self-esteem, and transforming their trauma and violent behaviour.