Crisis Intervention-Ch 5, Victims of Crime Flashcards
who quoted “ A victim of a criminal can also find he is a victim of the criminal justice system”
Donald E Santarelli, Administrator Law Enforcement Asst Administration
Random sampling or its mathematical equivalents, which are generically referred to as _____
probability samples
the main source of data on criminal victimization is the
National Crime Victimization Survey.- one of the largest sample surveys in the world.
the FBI compiles data from federal, state and local police agencies on offenses “known to the police” and arrests, and uses this data for estimating a number of different crime rates.
The Uniform Crime Reports
Data published in an annual report which is somewhat misleadingly entitled
Crime in the United States.- detailed data are collected for homicide, more specifically, for murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, which offenses are not included in the NCVS.
Patterns of victimization
- Accidents and suicide result more deaths than homicide.
* risk of death from heart disease is 58 times greater than death from homicide
Homicide is a leading cause of death from young
American males
NCVS data o General Patterns:
data for period of 1973-2001 reveal the following patterns of reported victimization
- highest rates are consistently reported for simple assault, which is least serious form of viol victimiz
- risks of victimization are greater for some persons that others. Black, under 25, Male or Hispanic,poor, never been married or resides in urban area are more likely to suffer victimization by violence or theft.
- young, african American males in urban area at highest risk of violent victimization, involving handgun .
UCR datat on homicides”
homicide is most serious form of victimization, bit is also the rarest. In 2000, estimated _____homicides were known to the police.
15517
small in comparison to 25.9 million victimization of all types .
homicide in US was 5.5 per 100,000 persons
In 1991, rate was 9.8 per 100,000 so homicide rates have declined almost 44% in the last 11 yrs
Messner and Rosenfeld, the homicide rate for the US was the highest among _____ developed nations.
16
Persons in the 18 to 24 age group, males and African American s are at highest risk of homicide.
per 100,000 person white 3.3 homicide victims white males 12.6 black females 12.9 black males 102.8
Most victimizations are not reported to the police. NCVA victims reported about one third of property crimes and 44% of crimes of violence. ____ was the violent crime that was least likely to be reported
RApe
Many persons adopt a ____ ____ stance for a variety of ideological and psychological reasons
victim-blaming
Karmen argues that victim-blaming strategies appeal to our wish to lived in a just world. It is easier to believe that victims deserve to be victimized, that they asked for it or had it coming.
Painful experience that crime victims sometimes encounter when they turn to criminal justice and social service agencies for help is referred to
secondary victimization
Tempting for criminal justice agents to judge the worth of crime victims. Temptations is heightened when the victim is
lower social status
The Psychological Impact of Victimization
what are two sorts of harm that first come to mind when one is assessing the damage caused by criminal victimization
Physical injury and financial loss
The Task Force on Victims of Crime and Violence concluded that victims need
psychological help- They assert that the necessity for corrective therapies may be reduced by constructive early intervention.
Psychological damage associated with criminal victimization has implications for the crime prevention role of criminal justice agencies.
being abused or neglected as a child increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59%, as adult 28%, for violent crime 30%. Widom and Maxfield finding suggest that victimization causes crime.
Research on rape victims by Burgess and Holmstrom led them to beleive that victims experience an immediate, ____ and a longer-term _____ in dealing with aftermath of assault
acute stage, recovery phase
acute phase of reaction to criminal victimization can last for
days, weeks or even months
Young suggests that _____ is the typical response of persons to becoming a crime victim
shock
acutely stressful event produce a _______ response, in which the body prepares to attack an assailant or flee.
fight or flight.
Victims exhibit anger directed at the assailant, but when assailant is absent or it is emotionally costly to direct anger toward that assailant, victims sometimes direct anger toward others. Anger is a manifestation of the fear that a criminal attack produces.
empty
victims responses that interveners will encounter
shock anger fear and anxiety self-blame and guilt disorientation
feeling of confusion and disassociation as well as some memory loss can accompany criminal victimization.
disorientation
Long-term effects of victimization
Posttraumatic stress disorder
involves a traumatic event or stressor, which is life-threating, overwhelming and sudden and unexpected.
PTSD
symptoms of PTSD
nightmares, jumpiness, insomnia, intrusive imagery, startle reaction, staying on guard, avoidance of reminders,
PTSD symptoms are initially present in as many as 95% of victims.
rape victims
between 35 and 64 percent of victims exhibit PTSD after one month
15 and 17 % of rape victims continued to exhibit symptoms after 15 yrs.
PTSD symptoms were found to be most prevalent for direct victims of rape and other sexual assaults, followed by victims of nonsexual assaults, robbery or burglary.
empty
factors increasing the risk of psychological effects
- type of offense- more violent and instrusive the crime, the greater the trauma
- social characteristics- gender,age, socioeconomic status. research showed that 6 mths after robbery, men reported more psychological problems than women.
- prior stressors-history of victim can be an important factor in the assessment of pyschological damage.
- offense characteristics- extent of injury, display of weapon, number of assailants
- the needs of victims- victim need to feel safe. victim need to express their emotions
community resources for crime victims
protective service system
Tomz and McGillis describe several stages of the criminal justice process where victim and witness services are needed. For the intervener, the early stages are of primary importance.
stage 1. emergency response- provides trauma assessment, physical and psychological first aid and protection
stage 2. victim stabilization-after shock and numbness has passed, victim might need referral
stage 3. resource moblization- victim may need assistance form victim service agency to deal with financial claims, emergency replacement of property, advocacy with employers, creditors, landlords
two programs that assist victims and witnesses often tied to the criminal justice system
Victim-Witness Assistance Programs
Crisis Centers
Martin and associates describe one crisis center with representatives from the police, medical community and prosecutor.
Stop Rape Task Force- improved interagency cooperation in providing services to victims of rape and assault.
