Introduction to Forensic Psychology 2 nd Edition Bartol
Introduction to Forensic Psychology 2 nd Edition Bartol & Bartol (2008) Chapter 10 Victimology and Victim Services Forensic Psychology and the Victims of Crime
A Few Initial Questions … p What comes to mind when you hear the word “Victim” ? p How have your own experiences shaped your view of crime victims? p Do you fear being victimized by crime/certain types of crime? n What, if any, personal measures do you take to reduce your risk of victimization? n How accurate do you think you are in terms of assessing your own victimization risk?
What is Victimology? p Specialized subfield within the discipline of criminology/criminal justice. p Scientific study of the harm people suffer as a result of crime and how victims are treated/the roles they play in the criminal justice system. p Victimologists are researchers, not advocates or practitioners.
Comparing Victimology and Criminology p Victimologists n n n Focus on victim Research on harm to victims, sources of victim vulnerability, and evaluation of victim oriented policies and practices in CJS. Apply research findings to risk reduction strategies. p Criminologists n n n Focus on Offender Research on correlates of crime and criminal behavior, and offender oriented policies and practices in the CJS. Apply research findings to crime prevention strategies.
History of Victimology & Victim’s Rights Movement p 1940 s-1950 s: Books/scholarly articles published with focus on victims. p 1960 s-1970 s: Focus on offenders as victims. p 1967: President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice call to criminologists to pay more attention to victims. p 1970 s: Victimology recognized as an area of specialization in criminology p 1980 s: Reagan administration enacts victim centered policies and initiatives including 1984 Victims of Crime Act p 1990 s: Legislation enacted in response to victim’s rights movement and high profile crimes across US.
Victimization Statistics p Two Official Sources n The Uniform Crime Report (UCR) (See FBI Crime Clock: http: //www. fbi. gov/ucr/05 cius/about/crime_cl ock. html) n The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) (See: http: //www. ojp. usdoj. gov/bjs/pub/pdf/cv 05. p df) p UCR and NCVS created to serve different purposes p p UCR measures crime known to police NCVS measures crime not reported to police
What Role does Psychology Play in Victim Services? p Psychologists and psychiatric social workers work with victims in their clinical practice, conduct research on the psychological impact of victimization, conduct training on victims issues, and serve as expert witnesses on issues such as battered women’s syndrome, PTSD, family violence dynamics, characteristics of batterers, repressed memory, and trauma reactions to violent crime. p Psychologists conduct research that contributes to the victimology literature in areas such as: n n Psychological impact of violence and victimization Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma reactions. Forensic assessment of victims and victim reactions Risk Assessment
Multiculturalism and Victim Services p By the year 2050, it is projected that 50% of the U. S. population will consist of “ethnic minorities” p Forensic psychologists must recognize that traditional psychological concepts used in assessment and treatment approaches were developed from predominately Euro American contexts and may be limited in their application to racial and culturally diverse populations n Forensic psychologists should be especially attuned to the potential injustices and oppression that may result from monocultural psychology. n These challenges are particularly important for those who provide victim services.
Rate of Violent Victimization by Type of Crime, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2000 Rate of Victimizations Per 1, 000 Hispanic White Black American Indian Asian Total violent crime 27. 9 26. 5 52. 3 8. 4 Rape/sexual assault 0. 6 1. 1 1. 5 0. 2 Robbery 5. 7 2. 4 6. 5 1. 9 Aggravated assault 5. 3 6. 0 0. 9 Simple assault 16. 4 17. 7 20. 1 5. 4
Victim-Offender Relationship J. B Helfgott Department of Criminal Justice Seattle University
Victims with Disabilities p Neglected area in research and practice. n n p High probability that a large proportion of the disabled will become victims of crime Many people with disabling conditions are especially vulnerable to victimization because of their real or perceived inability to fight or flee or to notify others. Americans with Disabilities Act n implemented July 26, 1992. n Applies to public employers and private employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits discrimination (a) in the hiring process; (b) regarding terms, conditions, and benefits of employment; and (c) in access to work related amenities, facilities, and functions
Psychological Effects of Victimization p The psychological impact of criminal violence on its victims is substantial and may be more troubling to the victim than the physical injury or the loss of property. p Psychological reactions to criminal victimization can range from mild to severe including minor sleep disturbances, irritability, worry, interpersonal strain, attention lapses, exacerbation of prior health problems, severe depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug abuse problems, thoughts about or attempts at suicide p One of the most devastating and common reactions to criminal victimization is called post traumatic stressdisorder.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTDS) p Common psychological reaction to a highly disturbing, traumatic event. p Characterized by recurrent, intrusive memories of the event. The memories tend to be vividly sensory, are experienced as relatively uncontrollable, and evoke extreme distress p PTSD symptoms include intense fear, helplessness, or horror.
Statistics p p p p Circumstances Total Murder Victims Total Rape Robbery Burglary Larceny Theft Motor Vehicle Theft Arson Prostitution Other Sex Offenses Narcotic Drug Laws Gambling Romantic Triangle Child Killed by Babysitter Juvenile Gang killings Other or Unknown 14, 860 44 921 88 12 31 37 13 9 589 2 117 26 754 12, 037 Male Female Unknown 11, 683 2 820 66 12 22 18 8 5 553 2 94 15 731 9, 335 3, 155 42 100 22 0 9 19 5 4 36 0 23 11 23 2, 861 22 0 1 0 0 0 21
Responding to the Needs of Victims p Different types of victims may have different needs. Important to consider nature of specific types of victimization n n Homicide victimization Hate or Bias Crime Victimization Sexual Assault Victimization Property Crime Victimization
Homicide Victimization p Homicide victims represent the smallest proportion (. 002%) of violent crime victims, but the psychological devastation experienced by survivors is enormous. p Approximately 1 in every 10, 000 Americans will become the victim of homicide during his or her lifetime
Death Notification p Notification of family members of a death resulting from violent crime is among the most challenging for professionals whose responsibility is to deliver the message p Nearly 2% of the adults in the U. S. population have lost an immediate family member due to criminal homicide n n p It very often the most traumatic event in the lives of family members and loved ones. Survivors have also had no time to prepare psychologically. An inappropriate or poorly done notification can prolong survivors’ grieving process and delay their recovery from the trauma for years. During and after notification the covictim’s needs may include: (1) (2) (3) (4) Opportunity for ventilation of emotion Calm, reassuring authority Restoration of control Preparation for what they need to do next
Victim Rights and Compensation p Crime victims’ bills of rights have been enacted in all states: n n n p Half of the states provide for mandatory restitution At least 31 states have passed victims’ rights constitutional amendments (and at least 10 of these provide for mandatory restitution) Victims rights include allocution, notification, compensation, and others Venues for justice for victims n n n Criminal Court Civil Court Alternative Programs (Restorative Justice, Victim offender mediation or encounter programs)
Shield Laws p Until the 1980 s, victims of sexual assault were routinely asked about their own prior sexual activity in court p The passage of shield laws—so called because they pro tect victims from being asked about their sexual history—changed this practice p All 50 states now have these laws
Restorative Justice p Restorative justice policies, programs, and practices have been implemented in a range of criminal and civil contexts p The objective of restorative justice is to “make whole” the victims and the community that have suffered from the offender’s crime, while also reintegrating the offender into the community when appropriate. p Programs based on the restorative justice philosophy try to hold offenders accountable for their actions and make them responsible for repairing harm to victims and the community through the process of negotiation, mediation, victim empowerment, victim offender encounter, and reparation
Victim Blaming p Oftentimes victims are blamed for their own victimization. p There is a long history of research, theory, and cultural values and beliefs that exacerbate the phenomenon of victim blaming. p Victim blaming can be very harmful and can hinder the recovery process.
Some Research Findings on Victimization Risk … p Victimization is not a random process and involves differential risk. n n n p Approx. 45% of homicide victims and 75% of offenders have criminal records Approx 20% of murders are drug related ME office studies show that 38% 62% of homicide victims were intoxicated at time of death. Based on the routine activity theory, crime and victimization are a matter of opportunity and occur in the presence of a motivated offender and a suitable target and the absence of capable guardians.
The Victim Contribution to Crime p Three concepts reflecting victim responsibility: n Victim Facilitation – Victim makes it easier to commit the offense n Victim Precipitation – Victim significantly contributed to offense n Victim Provocation – Victim more responsible than offender
Innocence v. Full Responsibility p Are there situations where victims are: n n p Completely innocent? Completely responsible? Examples? ? ?
The “Born Victim” ? ? ? p Some researchers suggest that there is such a thing as “born victim. ” n Implications of this notion? n Are women “born victims? ”
Victim Blaming v. Victim Defending p Victim Blaming n n n Comforting for non victims Handy justification/excuse for offenders Other +/ implications? p Victim Defending n n n Creates false victim offender dichotomy Makes it identify strategies to empower victims Other +/ implications?
Discussion Questions p What roles do forensic psychologists play in victimology and victim services? p Is Battered Women Syndrome a legitimate criminal defense in cases when battered women kill their abusive spouses? p Is victim blaming part of our culture? If so, how does this affect victims in the aftermath of crime?
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