16 - Victims of Crime Flashcards
Who are the victims of crime?
People who have “suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through acts of omissions that are in violation of criminal laws”
Where are high victimisation rates found?
Urban areas
Property offences to young professionals
Personal victimisation; 16-24 years
In Australia, what is the most feared public activity and how many people feel safe at home during the night and outside?
Catching the train
80% inside at home by themselves at night
40% safe outside at night
What factors influence reporting of a crime?
Nature of offence (perception that reporting will benefit victim)
Characteristics of victim are less important
Bystanders/support networks who encourage reporting
Why do we blame the victim?
Fundamental Attribution Error; tendency of observers to underestimate impact of the situation, and overestimate the impact of personal disposition.
Just-World Hypothesis; the need to believe the world is fair and people get what they deserve
How are prosecutors trying to respond to concerns of crime victims?
Compensation of the crime victims; RESTITUTION
- +; reimbursed, offender appreciates hurt
- -; no defendant because crime not solved, can’t reimburse
Participation by Victim in Criminal Proceedings
- Victim Impact Evidence (can alter courts view)
Legislative Changes Protecting Victim’s Rights
- e.g. notified of proceedings, not to be excluded from trial, notified of offender’s release
Reconciling Victims and Offenders
What is restorative justice and what does it benefit?
Resolution conferences, although controversial, can cause the offender to realise the victim’s pain and the victim to understand why the offender committed the crime
-Provides benefits in the areas of;
• Accountability
• Competency development
• Community safety
What are some psychological effects of victimisation?
Stockholm syndrome; hostages exhibit empathy and positive regard for captors, sometimes defending them.
Acute Stress Disorder (before 1 month) and PTSD
Describe the 4-session prevention course for victims and how has it been evaluated?
Education about common psychological reactions, so victims know their responses is normal.
Training in relaxation to cope with stress.
Emotionally reliving trauma through imagining to diffuse fears.
Cognitive restructuring to help women replace negative belief about their competence
Evaluation;
- Fewer PTSD symptoms who did the course.
- Two months after trauma, 70% untreated women and 10% treated had PTSD
