victims of crime

Question 1

fear of crime def.

Answer 1

• distorted, unrealistic expectation of victimisation.

Question 2

victimisation surveys

Answer 2

• large group asked about their experience of crime.
• US - national crime victimisation survey (NCVS).
• UK - crime survey for England and Wales - 50,000 random households.
• ^ asked about violence, robbery, theft & damage to property.

Question 3

problems with statistics on victimisation

Answer 3

• informs us about victimhood (adv.)
• only gives so much info - need range of qualitative information about lived experiences/behavioural reactions of victims.

Question 4

factors increasing probability of victimisation

Answer 4

• age - 16-25 year olds.
• sex - males for violence, females for sexual abuse.
• education level.
• time spent in public spaces.
• contact with criminality.
• housing/living area.
• income.

Question 5

victimology theories

Answer 5

• positivist - scientific victimisation study.
• critical - vulnerability, structural inequalities & victims rights.
• radical - structural conditions that victimise large amount of people.
• feminist - understanding gender as influencing victimisation.
  narrative - considering victims stories & experiences.

Question 6

repeat victimisation def.

Answer 6

• occurs when same type of crime is experienced by same victim within a specific period.
• total number of offences experienced by a target.

Question 7

victims feelings towards offenders (%)

Answer 7

• wanted them imprisoned - 56%.
• wanted them to receive help - 31%
• wanted to tell offender how it affected them - 56%.
• angry at offender - 81%.
• anxiety/panic attacks - 67%.
• self-blame - 47%.

Question 8

psychological affects of victimisation

Answer 8

• depression/anxiety.
• paranoia.
• loss of control.
• fear/shock.
• social tension/social disillusion.
• vulnerability.

Question 9

symptoms of PTSD in victims

Answer 9

• depression/suicidal thoughts.
• sleep disturbance.
• oversensitivity to noise - due to fight or flight.
• fear of others - fear a reoccurence.
• reliving trauma through intrusive flashbacks.

Question 10

diagnosing PTSD in victims

Answer 10

• traumatic event experienced directly/indirectly
• significant disfunction of everyday life & symptoms of arousal, negative feelings or avoidance.

Question 11

factors leading to greater likelihood of PTSD

Answer 11

• gender.
• severity of crime.
• proximity to trauma.
• duration of the trauma.
• personal vulnerabilities.
• lack of social support.
• flashbacks & intrusive thoughts.
• high stress levels.

Question 12

PTSD characteristics

Answer 12

• heightened hypervigilance.
• impared decision-making.
• substance abuse.
• revictimisation patterns.
• dissociation.
• difficulty asserting boundaries.
• interpersonal difficulties.

Question 13

PTSD in offenders

Answer 13

• person suffering PTSD has heightened propensity to violence
• cant cope with their violent action - development of PTSD.

Question 14

ways of improving victim experiences

Answer 14

• qualitative data.
• victim impact statements.
• enhanced support services
• access to psychological treatment.
• greater awareness of victim’s trauma within the CJS.