Lecture 10 - Victims

Question 1

What is Victimology?

Answer 1

The study of the causes of victimisation, its consequences, how the CJS accomodates and assists victims and how other elements of society deal with victims.

Question 2

What is Victimisation?

Answer 2

the process of being victimised. To treat someone in an intentionally unfair way; criminal or non-criminal.

Question 3

Briefly describe the history of victimology.

Answer 3

First used by Mendelsohn 1947, crucially interdisciplinary.
Home Office 2005 - Rebuilding lives & Criminal injuries compensation authority = key moment victims became a concern.
Daigle & Muftic 2016 - early studies focused on what victims were doing that caused their victimisation; precipitation, facilitation & Provocation.

Question 4

Name the 5 categories of victims according to Mendelsohn 1947

Answer 4

• Completely innocent
• Minor guilt
• Equally guilty
• More guilty
• Imagined

Question 5

What are the risk factors for assault?

Answer 5

Varies with gender, age, race, SES, prior victimisation history, psychiatric history, substance abuse and geographic location.

Mental health correlates with victimisation - capacity, witness ability, concentration and ridiculed/agg behaviour.

Question 6

Define Attrition.

Answer 6

Number of crimes committed and the number of crimes that end in the perpetrator being committed - attrition gap.

Question 7

Why do victims withdraw complaints?

Answer 7

• Hurdles and fears: knowing they are a victim in first place and that it is wrong, who to tell, disbelief.
• Loss of control: telling someone - have control of info as well.
• Predictors: stranger, older, stable family
• Intimidation: from family members.

Question 8

Why do victims proceed with complaints?

Answer 8

• Stop further assaults
• Protect others
• Want truth out
• Fear of perpetrator
• Wanting perpetrator sanctioned

Question 9

What is Acute Stress Disorder and what are the 5 categories?

Answer 9

Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation.

1. Intrusion
2. Negative mood
3. Dissociation
4. Avoidance
5. Arousal

Question 10

What is PTSD and the 3 symptoms?

Answer 10

Extreme trauma responded to with fear, helplessness and horror:

1. Re-experiencing event
2. Avoiding reminders
3. Hyper-arousal

Question 11

What are the 3 types of PTSD according to Kilpatrick & Alcierno 2003?

Answer 11

1. Acute: less than 3 months
2. Chronic: more than 3 months
3. Delayed onset: 6 months after trauma

Question 12

What changes have been made in DSM-5 for PTSD?

Answer 12

Unexpected death no longer included
Hopelessness, fear, horror removed
Negative thoughts & reckless/destructive behaviour added.

Question 13

What are the 5 techniques for PTSD?

Answer 13

Exposure therapy
Anxiety management
Interpersonal therapy
Group therapy
CBT