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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for victimization
115 results foundAuthor: Legler, Mark S. Title: Homeless Young Adults and Criminal Victimization: Analysis and Comparison of Police Records in Hennepin County, Minnesota Summary: Building on research that has shown high rates of victimization amongst homeless youth, this paper examines rates for a cohort of homeless youth and a comparison group of low-income youth. The data is analyzed in two parts: an examination of 29 months of arrest and victimization records for homeless young adults provided services at a youth homeless outreach service in Minneapolis, and a comparison of 13 months of those records against the records of a cohort of young adults receiving food assistance. The association between criminal perpetration and victimization are analyzed as well as the effect of demographic variables (age, gender, and race). African Americans compose the majority of both the homeless and control samples (62% and 57% respectively). Thirty-two percent of the homeless sample was arrested during the 29 month period. Twenty-three percent of the homeless sample was arrested during the 13 month period versus 15% of the food assistance recipients. Statistical tests for differences between percentages, a comparison of total number of victimizations, and a regression of demographic variables were conducted to determine overall victimization prevalence and stand-alone effects of variables. Results from the 29 month analysis of homeless youth indicate that a substantial number have been victims of crimes, with 27% of the sample experiencing victimization. Eighteen percent had been the victim of a personal crime. Thirteen percent had been the victim of a property crime. Those with an arrest during the time period were over three times as likely to be the victim of a personal crime (31%) and over three-and-a-half times as likely to be the victim of any crime (45%). No differences between gender, race, or age were significant in the regressions. Using rough estimations based on crime rates in Minneapolis, a homeless young adult is over seven and a half times more likely to be personally victimized than the average Minneapolis young adult. Results from the 13 month comparison do not show a significant difference in the number of homeless young adults victimized (12%) and the number of young adults utilizing food support victimized (9%). The combined cohort had significantly higher female property victimization (6% vs. 1%). Those arrested in the combined sample had higher rates of victimization overall (16% vs. 9%). The homeless sample had more total victimizations than the control sample (62 vs. 44). The homeless sample also suffered twice as many assaults as the control sample (20 vs. 10). Results from this study bring a broader understanding of victimization as affecting many low-income individuals: housed, homeless, perpetrators, and non-perpetrators. The insignificance of race, gender, and age suggest crime for homeless young adults is a symptom of context and environment. Findings suggest that risk factors do not spontaneously appear amongst a diverse group of homeless young adults, but are rather symptoms of environments that homeless and marginalized youth are forced to choose from. This research can lead to more effective policy prescriptions by helping to improve intervention strategies that minimize the chance of future victimizations and reduce the harm associated with such occurrences. Details: Minneapolis: Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 2013. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed May 23, 2015 at: https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/150436/Legler_Homeless%20Young%20Adults%20and%20Criminal%20Victimization.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/150436/Legler_Homeless%20Young%20Adults%20and%20Criminal%20Victimization.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 129677 Keywords: HomelessnessRunawaysVictimizationYoung Adults |
Author: Garfield, Richard Title: Violence and Victimization after Civilian Disarmament: The Case of Jonglei Summary: This report discusses victimization findings regarding both coercive and 'voluntary' civilian disarmament in Southern Sudan following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Details: Geneva: Small Arms Survey, 2007 Source: HSBA Working Paper 11, Graduate Institute of International Studies Year: 2007 Country: Sudan URL: Shelf Number: 116489 Keywords: FirearmsVictimizationViolence |
Author: Williams, Linda M. Title: Pathways into and out of commercial sexual victimization of children: Understanding and responding to sexually exploited teens Summary: For the past two years the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Fair Fund, Inc., along with partners in Boston, MA and Washington, D.C., USA, have been conducting an in-depth, field-based study of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) taking a life course perspective in examining the lives of female and male victims with a focus on prostituted teens. The Pathways Project examines pathways into and out of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) via prostitution and to provide useful information to practice and policy communities. The goal of the research was to understand the victims' perspectives; to identify the factors (individual, family, peer, school, and community contexts) associated with the commencement of CSEC; to identify factors that surround its maintenance and escalation; and to identify factors that impede or empower exiting from or overcoming exploitative situations. Our research included primarily qualitative methods with a focus on integrating researchers and grassroots organizers into the design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination. In the Boston metropolitan area and in Washington, DC, we interviewed 61 adolescents (aged 14-19) who experienced sexual violence via teen prostitution or who were runaways at risk for such commercial sexual exploitation. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a crime that has only recently received significant attention in the United States and around the globe. While the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that the number of children (those under the age of 18) currently involved in prostitution, child pornography, and trafficking may be anywhere between 100,000 and three million (Friedman, 2005) we find that knowledge of CSEC and our public response to the problem is still evolving. Federal legislation (Trafficking Victims Protection Act - TVPA 2000 and revised in 2008), funding and task force activity continues to bring the domestic sex trafficking of children into focus in the U.S. This includes attention to traffickers who coerce children and youth to enter the commercial sex "industry" through the use of a variety of recruitment and control mechanisms and who engage the children in exploitation in strip clubs, street-based prostitution, escort services, and brothels. There is evidence from the field that domestic sex traffickers target vulnerable youth, such as runaway and homeless youth, and it is often reported that the average age of entry into prostitution in the U.S. is as a 12- to 13-year-old victim of commercial sexual exploitation. A variety of state laws address these crimes under statutes that often are located in several different sections of the criminal code or in statutes directed at juveniles or families. Statutes may criminalize the behavior of those who procure children for sex acts (commonly referred to as "pimps"), those "customers" who engage in or solicit sex acts with a minor (some of these individuals are referred to as "johns"), those who are involved in the production or the possession of pornography with a minor, and those who benefit from such commerce. But state laws also focus on the behavior of the children and their families and may lead to juveniles being prosecuted for prostitution related offenses, adjudication as delinquent or a determination that they are a person/ child in need of supervision. Details: Lowell, MA: University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2009. 73p. Source: Accessed April 25, 2018 at: https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/Williams%20Pathways%20Final%20Report%202006-MU-FX-0060%2010-31-09L.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/Williams%20Pathways%20Final%20Report%202006-MU-FX-0060%2010-31-09L.pdf Shelf Number: 117143 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingSex OffensesVictimization |
Author: Hecht, Mark E. Title: Private Sector Accountability in Combating the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: A report discussing the role of the private sector in addressing the Commerical Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2008 Source: A contribution to the World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents, November 2008 Year: 2008 Country: Thailand URL: Shelf Number: 117291 Keywords: JuvenilesSex OffensesVictimization |
Author: Bryant, Colleen Title: Risk Factors in Indigenous Violent Victimisation Summary: This study examines victimization rates for specific types of violence using demographic, psychological, sociological, and cultural factors within the indigenous population. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2008 Source: AIC Technical and Background Paper 30 Year: 2008 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 113254 Keywords: Indigenous PeoplesVictimizationViolent Crime |
Author: Fitch, Kate Title: Protecting children from sexual abuse in Europe: Safer recruitment of workers in a border-free Europe Summary: This report presents the case for improving cooperation across the European Union (EU) to protect children from sexual abuse. It identifies the main barriers that currently prevent the effective pre-employment vetting of migrant workers across Europe, and examines initiatives that have been or are being pursued at EU level, aimed at improving the exchanges of cross-border criminal information exchange. It makes recommendations on how the European Union and member states can improve cross-border cooperation for vetting and barring purposes, focusing particularly on the need to improve and share information. Details: London: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), 2007 Source: Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 113537 Keywords: EmploymentJuvenilesVictimization |
Author: Wong, Jennifer S. Title: No Bullies Allowed: Understanding Peer Victimization, the Impacts of Delinquency, and the Effectiveness of Prevention Programs Summary: Over the past decade, school bullying has emerged as a prominent issue of concern for students, parents, educators, and researchers around the world. Research evidence suggests nontrivial and potentially serious negative repercussions of both bullying and victimization. This dissertation uses a large, nationally representative panel dataset and a propensity score matching technique to assess the impact of bully victimization on a range of 10 delinquency outcomes measured over a six-year period. Results show that victimization prior to the age of 12 years is significantly predictive of the development of several delinquent behaviors, including running away from home, selling drugs, vandalism, theft, other property crimes, and assault. As a whole, prevention programs are significantly effective at reducing the problem of victimization in schools but are only marginally successful at reducing bullying. More work is needed to determine why programs are more successful with victims of bullying than with perpetrators, and prevention efforts should focus on the development of programs that are more likely to bring about successful reductions in both bullying and victimization. Details: Santa Monica, CA: 2009 Source: Dissertation, Pardee Rand Graduate School Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 114742 Keywords: BullyingJuvenilesVictimization |
Author: Klien, Andrew Title: Evaluation of the Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Grant Program Special Initiative: Faith-Based and Community Organization Pilot Program: Rural Pilot Program Summary: This report presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation of the Office of Violence Against Women's (OVW's) Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Grant Program Special Initiative: Faith-Based and Community Organization Pilot Program (Rural Pilot Program), which was designed to reach out to small faith-based and community-based organizations (FBCO) that were not already addressing domestic violence. Details: Sudbury, MA: Advocates for Human Potential, Inc.: 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 116210 Keywords: CommunitiesDomestic ViolenceRural CrimeVictimization |
Author: Graham, Jenny Title: Testaments of Harm: A Qualitative Evaluation of the Victim Personal Statements Scheme Summary: This report, commissioned by the U.K. Home Office, sought to explore the expectations and experience of victims of crime who had been offered the opportunity to participate in the Victim Personal Statement Scheme. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 28 victims of crime from two police force areas. This report presents the key research findings drawn from an analysis of the victims accounts of the scheme. Details: London: National Centre for Social Research, 2004. 72p. Source: Year: 2004 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117289 Keywords: Victim ServicesVictimization |
Author: Torok, Michelle Title: Comparative Rates of Violent Crime Amongst Methamphetamine and Opioid Users: Victimisation and Offending Summary: Background There have been marked changes in methamphetamine use over the past decade as more potent forms of the drug have become increasingly available, particularly crystalline methamphetamine. A major concern of stronger potency methamphetamine is the increased potential for harm, such as psychotic symptoms and violent behaviour. Little is currently known about what effects methamphetamine use has on violent behaviour. The current research was undertaken to improve our understanding of the association between methamphetamine use and violent victimisation and offending. Comprehensive measures including prevalence, type of offence, circumstances surrounding victimisation and offending, and the predictors of violent behaviour were used to achieve a more complex understanding of the issues surrounding methamphetamine use and violence. Methodology A sample of 400 regular methamphetamine and heroin users from the greater Sydney region were interviewed face-to-face regarding their lifetime and most recent experiences of violent victimisation and offending. Participants in the study were recruited through advertisements placed in needle and syringe programs (NSPs), therapeutic communities, street press publications, and word of mouth. To be eligible for inclusion in the survey, respondents had to be at least 18 years of age, have a satisfactory understanding of English, and have used either methamphetamine or illicit opiates at least weekly over the past 12 months. The sample was categorised into three key groups based on whether they used methamphetamine or heroin most regularly: primary methamphetamine users (PM), primary heroin users (PH), and combined primary methamphetamine and heroin users (PMH). Only physical violence was measured in this study, which included assault, armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault. Key findings Violent victimisation The lifetime risk of violent victimisation was nearly universal. Across the whole sample, 95% had ever been a victim of violence, and nearly half (46%) had experienced victimisation in the past 12 months. The overwhelming majority had been victimised on multiple occasions across a lifetime measure. Methamphetamine use was not a significant risk factor for violent victimisation. The results indicate that the major predictors of violent victimisation among illicit drug users were severity of alcohol use, a predisposition towards antisocial behaviour (i.e. a childhood history of Conduct Disorder), and drug dealing. The data indicates that being involved in illicit drug markets substantially increases the risk of victimisation and that, at some point, those who remain in these environments have a high risk of being assaulted Almost two-thirds of those who had been victimised were also under the influence of a substance at the time they were last victimised. The substances that were most commonly used prior to the most recent victimisation episode were alcohol (25%), psychostimulants (24%), and illicit opioids (24%). Nearly one-quarter of the respondents had used multiple substances prior to most recently being victimised. Violent offending The prevalence of violent offending was also high, with 82% having ever committed a violent crime, and approximately two in five having violently offended in the past 12 months. There were no group differences in the risk of lifetime offending. In the past 12 months, however, the PM group was more likely to have committed a violent crime than the PH group (51% v 35%). Nearly three-quarters (74%) of the sample had ever committed more than one violent crime. Methamphetamine use significantly increased the risk of violent offending in the past 12 months, particularly more frequent methamphetamine use. The increased risk of violent offending associated with methamphetamine use was consistent across a number of indicators, including being at greater risk for being arrested for assault and weapon offences in the preceding 12 months, and methamphetamine users being at greater risk of committing violent crime within the past month. Apart from methamphetamine use, other factors that were found to increase the risk of committing violence were heavier alcohol use, Conduct Disorder, selling drugs, and being younger. Risk perceptions of violence The majority of the sample perceived that it would be 'unlikely' or 'very unlikely' that they would be either a victim of violence (78%) or violent offender (87%) in the following 12 months, despite the high prevalence of violent victimisation and offending experienced in the previous 12 months. The majority of respondents had also witnessed high levels of victimisation and offending, and this also appears to have no impact on their own perceived risk of being exposed to violence in the future. Among those who had recently (i.e. in the last 12 months) been a victim of violence, or physically assaulted someone, the perceived risk of future victimisation and offending was higher than those who had not recently been exposed to violence. Key points: Summary of violent crime among illicit drug users - Violent victimisation was almost universal, with 95% of the sample having ever been victimised, and 46% having been a victim of violence in the past 12 months. - Violent offending was also highly prevalent, with 82% of respondents having committed a violent crime across their lifetime, and 41% having done so in the past 12 months. - Methamphetamine use did not increase the lifetime, or past 12 month, risk of violent victimisation. - Heavier methamphetamine use was associated with a significantly higher risk of violent offending in the past 12 months. - The main form of methamphetamine used did not affect risk of violent victimisation or offending. - The perceived risk of being a victim or offender of a violent crime in the following 12 months was very low, despite the high rates of victimisation, and of committing violent crime, in the past 12 months. Details: Hobart, Tasmania: National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund, 2008. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph no. 32: Accessed April 17, 2018 at: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-documents/monographs/monograph32.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-documents/monographs/monograph32.pdf Shelf Number: 117106 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionDrug Abuse and CrimeDrug-Related ViolenceMethamphetaminesOpioidsVictimizationViolent Crime |
Author: Buchanan, Cate Title: No Relief: Surveyng the Effects of Gun Violence on Humanitarian and Development Personnel Summary: This report documents the victimization of development and humanitarian personnel. Based on over 2,000 questionnaires, the survey involved staff from 17 United Nations and non-governmental organizations in 90 countries. One of the key findings is that the biggest threat facing relief and development agencies appears to be criminal violence from civilians armed with handguns, rather than armed groups. Details: Geneva: Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and the Small Arms Survey, 2009(?). 33p. Source: Year: 2009 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 117661 Keywords: Gun ViolenceVictimization |
Author: Alemika, Etannibi EO Title: Criminal Victimization and Fear of Crime in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria Summary: Criminal victimization has serious consequences for the citizens and society. Individual and societal aspirations for democracy, development, human rights, high standard of living are undermined by high level of criminal victimization. Nigeria has witnessed high rates of crime and victimization that have defied the measures, introduced by successive regimes, for its management during the past two decades. The problem of crime is most widespread and endemic in Lagos. This is most likely due to its being the most economically active and densely populated city in Nigeria. In spite of the crime problem in the country, there are no reliable statistics on the trend and pattern of crime and victimization. In order to bridge the data-gap, this study surveys the extent and pattern of victimization, fear of crime, perceptions of crime and the police among residents of Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Lagos was the capital of Nigeria from 19141 to 1991 when the capital of the Federation was moved to Abuja in the central area of the nation. The survey conducted in August 2004, covered Lagos metropolis. Data were obtained through multi-stage sampling design. The target population from which the sample was drawn were people who were 16 years or older in 14 Local Government Areas. Fieldwork was carried out by the staff of the Federal Office of Lagos with supervision by staff of CLEEN Foundation also based in Lagos, during the month of August 2004. In all, 2091 respondents were interviewed, with the following aims: to find out whether or not they were victims of crime during the past five years; to discover the extent and types of criminal victimization in Lagos metropolis; to find out the level of subjective feeling of safety as well as attitudes to crime and the police among the residents of Lagos. The findings of the study are summarized below. Extent of criminal victimization A substantial proportion of the respondents were victims of corruption and cheating in 2003. More than two-fifths of the respondents said they were victims of corruption, particularly demand for bribe by public officials. Also, 30% said they were cheated by various persons, groups and businesses during the year. Over a period of five years covered by the survey, theft and assault were the commonest form of victimization experienced by the respondents. The levels of victimization reported by the respondent for the past five years were as follow: - 1% of the households reported the murder of a member; - 6%; 5% and 23% of households with vehicle owners respectively reported robbery of automobile; theft of vehicle and theft of property from an automobile belonging to their members; - 15% of households with motorcycle and bicycle owners reported theft of cycles; - 9% and 6% of the households were victims of burglary and attempted burglary respectively; - 9% of the respondents reported being victims of robbery; - 25% were victims of theft; - 12% said they were assaulted; - 9% of the female respondents were victims of sexual violence. Spatial pattern of criminal victimization Criminal victimization varied across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos metropolis, with the following pattern discernible from the analysis of the survey: - Murder was higher in Lagos Island, Mushin and Kosofe; - Automobile theft was highest in Lagos Island and Mainland; - Theft of property from car was widespread in all the LGAs but highest in Apapa and Mushin; - Incidence of burglary was highest in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Lagos Island, Ifako-Ijaye and Shomolu; - Robbery was more prevalent in Lagos Island, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ojo, Agege, Apapa and Mushin; - Respondents in Oshodi-Isolo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Apapa reported higher levels of assault; - Female respondents in Ojo, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo and Ajeromi-Ifelodun reported higher levels of sexual victimization; - In 2003, incidence of corruption, particularly extortion, was more prevalent in Lagos Island, Oshodi-Isolo, Mushin and Apapa. Perceptions of Crime and Safety in Community Robbery and murder were the crimes perceived as most prevalent in nearly all the LGAs. The two crimes were followed in respect of prevalence by theft, burglary. Majority of the respondents in all the LGAs, with the exception of Alimosho, reported decrease in crime level in their communities. However, while more than 70% of the respondents felt that crime decreased in their communities, majority of the respondents perceived increased level of crime in society. This apparent contradiction may be explained by the concentration of electronic and print media of mass communication with extensive coverage of criminal incidents in the state. More than 80% of respondents from all the LGAs (except AjeromiIfelodun with 56%) said that they felt safe walking in their neigbourhood after dark. Greater percentage of respondents felt safe at home after dark. However, nearly 70% were fearful of being a victim of any crime. Perception of Police Majority of the respondents had positive impression or perception of the police. More specifically: - 58% of the respondents said the police in their communities were doing a good job; - 53% agreed with the view that the police were helpful; - Positive perception or impression of the police was highest among respondents in Agege, Mainland, Mushin, Ikeja and lowest among respondents in Alimosho, Apapa, Kosofe, Surulere and Ajeromi-Ifelodun; Notwithstanding the generally positive perception of the police by the respondents, majority of them felt that police performance has declined over the past five years. Reactions to Crime Faced with high incidence and fear of crime, many communities and individuals took several measures to reduce their feeling of vulnerability and minimize risk of victimization. - 81% of the respondents said that vigilante existed in their communities, while 77% reported that the vigilantes were paid for their services; - Individuals introduced target hardening devices (fence, metal doors, locks, electronic devices) and employed security guards in order to minimize their risk of victimization. Police Community Relations Committee The provision for the establishment of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in police divisions was aimed at developing public-police partnership. About a third (34%) of the respondents said PCRC existed in their area, while 77% reported that they are aware of the role of PCRC. Details: Lagos, Nigeria: CLEEN Foundation, 2005. 35p. Source: CLEEN Foundation Monograph Series, No. 1: Accessed April 14, 2018 at: http://new.cleen.org/LAGOS%20CRIME%20SURVEY.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Nigeria URL: http://new.cleen.org/LAGOS%20CRIME%20SURVEY.pdf Shelf Number: 117355 Keywords: Crime StatisticsFear of CrimeVictimizationVictimization Surveys |
Author: Reichert, Jessica Title: Victimization and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Female Prisoners in Illinois Summary: The number of women in prison has increased both statewide and nationally in recent decades. Most females in state prisons are incarcerated for drug or property offenses. Research has revealed that incarcerated women often have histories of being abused and that many are dealing with mental health issues or substance abuse. This study examines female victimization across the life course of women at three female-only Illinois Department of Corrections facilities. A random sample of 163 inmates was interviewed, and interview questions concentrated on participants' histories of substance abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, stalking and emotional abuse, trauma, and help-seeking strategies related to these issues. Details: Chicago: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2010. 64p. Source: Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 118302 Keywords: Child AbuseEmotional AbuseFemale InmatesSexual AbuseStalkingSubstance AbuseVictimization |
Author: Kyckelhahn, Tracey Title: Characteristics of Suspected Human Trafficking Incidents, 2007-08 Summary: The Human Trafficking Reporting System (HTRS) was developed in 2007 to collect data on alleged human trafficking incidents from state and local law enforcement agencies. This report presents data as of September 30, 2008 on incidents, suspects, and victim characteristics from 38 human trafficking task forces. Incident data include the number of suspects and victims, number of agencies involved in the incident, confirmation of incident as human trafficking, and type of lead agency. Victim data include demographic characteristics such as age, race, gender, and citizenship status. In addition to demographic characteristics, suspect data include available arrest, adjudication, and sentencing information. The report covers incidents reported by task forces from January 1, 2007, to September 30, 2008. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2009. 16p. Source: Special Report, January 2009 Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 118351 Keywords: Crime StatisticsHuman TraffickingProstitutionVictimization |
Author: Cunningham, Chris Title: Analysis of the Maori Experience: Findings from the New Zealand Crime and Safety Survey 2006 Summary: The 2006 New Zealand Crime and Safety Survey is the first to enable a detailed analysis of the Maori experience of crime victimization. This analysis allows us to understand victimization differences both between Maori and other New Zealanders and within the Maori population in 2005. The survey presents the following findings: Maori were more likely to be victims of crime than other New Zealanders, and Maori were more likely to be multiply victimized. Details: Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Justice, 2009. 116p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: Shelf Number: 118732 Keywords: Crime StatisticsIndigenous PeoplesVictimizationVictimization Surveys (New Zealand) |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Title: Victimization Survey in Tanzania: Executive Summary Summary: This survey gathered information about crime and the perceptions of safety from a range of cities and municipalties in the country, namely the cities of Tanga, Mbeya and Mwanza and the municipalities of Moshi and Dodoma. Details: Vienna: UNODC, 2009. 8p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: Tanzania URL: Shelf Number: 119148 Keywords: Crime StatisticsVictimizationVictimization Surveys (Tanzania) |
Author: Roebuck, Ben Title: Homelessness, Victimization and Crime: Knowledge and Actionable Recommendations Summary: "This report examines how victimization contributes to homelessness and how subsequent victimization may result from living on the streets. It reviews the types of crimes committed by homeless people, and why homeless people are incarcerated. It also identifies factors through which incarceration raises the risk of homelessness for vulnerable populations." Details: Ottawa: Institute for the Prevention of Crime, 2008. 37p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 8, 2010 at: http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/ipc/pdf/IPC-Homelessness%20report.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/ipc/pdf/IPC-Homelessness%20report.pdf Shelf Number: 113258 Keywords: HomelessnessVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Keown, Leslie-Anne Title: Precautions Taken to Avoid Victimization: A Gender Perspective Summary: This article uses the 2004 General Social Survey on criminal victimization to explore how men and women of the core working age population (25 to 54 years) living in Census Metropolitan Areas differ in the precautions taken to avoid victimization. The results indicate that though men and women do not differ substantially in the amount of crime they perceive around them - they do differ in the precautions taken to avoid victimization. This difference remains unchanged even when other factors like fear of crime, income, age, and victimization experiences are taken into account. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2010. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 7, 2010 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2010001/article/11123-eng.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2010001/article/11123-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 119752 Keywords: Fear of CrimeNeighborhoodsVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Menard, Scott Title: Victimization and Illegal Behavior Summary: Research has shown that individuals involved in illegal behavior are more likely to be victims than are those not involved in such activities. The temporal order of the victim-offender relationship has been a focus of interest in recent years. Violent victimization has been found to be an important risk factor for subsequent violent offending. The current study furthers our understanding of this sequence by analyzing waves of the National Youth Survey. The relationship between violent victimization and offending was found to change from adolescence to adulthood. Clearly, if violent victimization is a risk factor for engaging in illegal behavior, policies and programs aimed at preventing victimization may be one of the most effective strategies for at-risk youth. Details: Huntsville, TX: Crime Victims' Institute, Sam Houston State University, 2009. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 17, 2010 at: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/VictimizationandIllegalBehaviorpress.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/VictimizationandIllegalBehaviorpress.pdf Shelf Number: 119829 Keywords: At-risk YouthIllegal BehaviorJuvenile OffendersVictimizationViolent Crime |
Author: Tilley, Nick Title: Business Views of Organised Crime Summary: This report describes research that examined the impact of organised crime against businesses located in three high crime residential neighbourhoods in the U.K. The study is based on detailed interviews with managers or owners of 420 businesses in three high crime neighbourhoods. It was concerned with the effects of both direct and indirect organised crime, including: direct victimisation of the businesses from organised crime groups; the creation of a local climate of organised crime and intimidation that drives out certain businesses or acts as a barrier to the establishment of others; and the arrival of unfair competition through the sale and distribution of illicit goods whether stolen, counterfeit or contraband. Details: London: Home Office, 2008. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report 10: Accessed September 22, 2010 at: http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/horr10c.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/horr10c.pdf Shelf Number: 113412 Keywords: Business CrimesCounterfeitingOrganized CrimeStolen GoodsVictimization |
Author: Jackson, Mervyn S. Title: Development of a Tourist Personality Inventory to Evaluate Parameters Associated with Tourist Crime Victimization Summary: An extensive literature review led to the conclusion that there has been minimal research into key psychological parameters associated with tourist crime victimization. Three series of four studies were completed that defined “tourists”; developed an inventory that assessed tourist personality; evaluated the psychometrics of this inventory; and, then determined the role of key psychological parameters in tourist crime victimization. The first series of studies (Chapter 2) focused on defining a “tourist”. The series began with an archival study that found that tourists had (historically) been described along three dimensions: quest for novelty (versus familiarity); reliance on (or independent from) the tourist industry; and, a motivation to seek and interact with hosts (versus vacations for rest and relaxation). The second (qualitative) study determined that tourist academics described the “tourist” using four themes: who (psychographics and demographics); does what (travel behaviours); with and to whom (cotravellers and hosts); and, where (destination factors). This qualitative study was successfully triangulated with a third (quantitative) lexical study. The final study in this first series utilized the extremes of the historical dimensions and described them in terms of the four themes. The extremes of the personality dimension were labelled “Allocentricism” and “Psychocentricism”. The second series of studies (Chapter 3) described the development and evaluation of a tourist personality inventory that empirically measured “Allocentricism-Psychocentricism”. The first in this series of studies utilized empirical assessment guidelines to develop a reliable and (face, content) valid inventory. The second study determined criterion validity and found Allocentricism was not related to Extraversion, but was substantially measuring Openness (to new experiences). The third study found that while the Tourist Personality Inventory could predict tourist destination preferences, it failed to predict actual tourist destination choice. It was found that social environmental factors (money, opportunity, time) also influenced tourist decision-making. The final study in Chapter 3 confirmed that travel behaviours under the control of the tourist were predicted by the tourist personality inventory. The final series of four studies (Chapter 4) described four tourist personality types, determined that these tourist types were not culturally universal but had good predictive validity when evaluating Australian inbound and domestic tourists. The final study in this series found that the Allocentric Tourist Personality Inventory predicted tourist crime victimization, but failed to predict post crime reporting behaviour of tourist victims. It was concluded that a reliable and valid measure of tourist personality had been developed and that further research can now occur in the area of tourist crime victimization. The limitations of these studies and future directions for research were discussed. Details: Unpublished dissertation, RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) University, 2006. 350p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 115227 Keywords: Tourists and CrimeVictimization |
Author: Johnson, Matthew Title: Property Victimization of College Students Summary: This report focuses on property victimization of college students. It is designed to examine the prevalence and frequency of property victimization; and explore the contexts in which it is most likely to occur. College students were selected because, according to previous studies, persons in their mid teens to mid 20s have a higher victimization rate than do other age groups. Non-violent property crimes including motor vehicle theft, theft of other items, burglary, and vandalism cost victims billions of dollars every year. Most of those property crime victimizations involve economic loss, most of which is never recovered. There has been little research on this kind of victimization among college students. Nevertheless, evidence shows that males and younger students are at greatest risk for experiencing some forms of property victimization, particularly theft. Data was collected from on an online survey of college students from seven public universities spread across the state of Texas. The overall racial/ethnic composition of the sample was comparable to the overall composition of all college students in the state. Details: Huntsville, TX: Crime Victims' Institute, Criminal Justice Center, Sam Houston State University, 2009. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 6, 2010 at: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/CSVictimizationPropertyCrimeReportFinalfromPress.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/CSVictimizationPropertyCrimeReportFinalfromPress.pdf Shelf Number: 119866 Keywords: BurglaryColleges and UniversitiesProperty CrimeSchool CrimeStudents, Crimes AgainstVandalismVehicle TheftVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Kane, John Title: The 2005 National Public Survey on White Collar Crime Summary: Within recent years, instances of white collar crime have become a topic of increasing frequency within the news. Security data breaches and crimes such as identity theft, credit card fraud, disaster fraud, and mortgage fraud have pervaded recent media reports, and scandals involving corporations such as Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, HealthSouth, and ImClone have dominated airtime. Furthermore, monetary estimates from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners approximate the annual cost of white collar crime to be between $300 and $660 billion. Despite the evidence of the widespread nature of white collar crime, there remain few empirical studies devoted to assessing the prevalence of white collar crime as it relates to the general public. In response to this, NW3C conducted the 2005 National Public Survey on White Collar Crime (a follow-up to NW3C’s original National Public Survey on White Collar Crime conducted in 1999). By utilizing household and individual measures, this nationally-representative survey highlights the public’s recent experiences with white collar crime including victimization, reporting behaviors, and perceptions of crime seriousness. Details: Fairmont, WV: National White Collar Crime Center, 2006. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 6, 2010 at: http://www.nw3c.org/research/national_public_survey.cfm Year: 2006 Country: United States URL: http://www.nw3c.org/research/national_public_survey.cfm Shelf Number: 119868 Keywords: Credit Card FraudCrime SurveysFraudIdentity TheftPublic OpinionVictimizationVictims of CrimeWhite Collar Crime |
Author: Kercher, Glen Title: Victimization of Immigrants Summary: There is little published research on the victimization experiences of Asian and Hispanic immigrants to this country. That which does exist often is based on the impressions of police officers and district attorneys. There are a few studies which look at a particular immigrant group, but little focus on one geographical area and the different ethnicities residing there. Because Houston has an ever increasing number of foreign born residents, learning about their experiences is important to ensuring their safety and providing needed services. This report not only presents information on victimization experiences, but also on what influences whether victims seek assistance. Details: Houston, TX: Crime Victims' Institute, Crime and Justice Center, Sam Houston State University, 2008. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2010 at: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/ImmigrantVictimizationfinalcorrected.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/ImmigrantVictimizationfinalcorrected.pdf Shelf Number: 119890 Keywords: ImmigrantsVictimizationVictims of Crimes |
Author: Kemp, Vicky Title: The Problems of Everyday Life: Crime and the Civil and Social Justice Survey Summary: Criminal justice processes target a limited range of ‘crimes’ or ‘harms’ to the exclusion of many others. Whilst political and public policy attention is often focused on procedures and processes, there is also great value in considering broader issues of social justice across a spectrum of activities that extend beyond the restricted scope of criminal justice. It is in this context that we find the work published here of interest. As the briefing shows, the range of problems and difficulties of everyday life faced by different sections of the population is complex, interrelated and should ultimately be of concern to anyone with an interest in social justice. Whilst the categories of ‘crime’, ‘social exclusion’ and ‘civil justice problems’ can be problematic, this paper usefully draws attention to a number of issues that we feel deserve much greater attention. As the authors claim, their findings suggest that services aimed at those people experiencing social problems would be more usefully provided through common means and methods. Separating out the issues and services aimed at resolving civil problems, crime and social exclusion often ignores the complex picture of injustices those deemed ‘vulnerable’ often face. Of greatest importance is the necessity to begin looking at these problems in the context of social injustice and the role of structural factors that result in substantial inequalities. Details: London: Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, 2007. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 19, 2010 at: http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/opus355/EverydayprobsWEB.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/opus355/EverydayprobsWEB.pdf Shelf Number: 120020 Keywords: Civil JusticeSocioeconomic StatusVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Muggah, Robert, ed. Title: Urban Violence in an Urban Village: A Case Study of Dili, Timor-Leste Summary: Drawing on a randomized household survey, focus group interviews, and an extensive literature review undertaken between June and December 2009, this study considers the structural and proximate factors shaping urban violence in Dili. These include the presence of informal security actors, erstwhile internally displaced persons (IDPs), permanent and seasonal population movements, land and property disputes, and persistent and glaring socioeconomic inequalities. The report also focuses on the objective symptoms of urban violence, including (the comparatively low) homicide rates, the relatively high rates of robbery, the high prevalence of sexual and domestic violence, the relationship between alcohol consumption and the onset of violence, the seemingly ambiguous and distrustful attitudes towards formal security providers, and the interconnections between systemic unemployment and protracted violence. In terms of subjective experiences of urban violence, the study finds that most residents describe their neighbourhoods as generally free from violence, their communities as safer than surrounding communities, the security of their neighbourhoods as adequate, and their neighbours as willing to look out for one another. The tendency towards increased transience and anonymity, owing in part to an exploding population and urbanization, may threaten these social networks of reciprocity. The study finds that urban violence in Dili can often shift from collective to interpersonal forms in dramatic fashion. Owing to the weak state of crime and health surveillance and the fact that most minor incidents are dealt with through customary means, if at all, it is difficult for international and domestic authorities to anticipate the onset of acute forms of urban violence. While recognizing a comparatively low incidence of overall violent victimization in Dili since 2007, the study observes that muscular coercive and security-led interventions seeking to deter urban violence are more commonly pursued by the government than informal, voluntary approaches that seek to prevent and reduce victimization in the long term. Details: Geneva: Geneva Declaration Secretariat, 2010. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper: Accessed October 21, 2010 at: http://www.genevadeclaration.org/fileadmin/docs/regional-publications/Urban_Violence_Dili.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://www.genevadeclaration.org/fileadmin/docs/regional-publications/Urban_Violence_Dili.pdf Shelf Number: 120050 Keywords: Socioeconomic StatusUrban CrimeUrban ViolenceVictimization |
Author: De Tella, Rafael Title: Happiness, Ideology and Crime in Argentine Cities Summary: This paper uses self-reported data on victimization, subjective well being and ideology for a panel of individuals living in six Argentine cities. While no relationship is found between happiness and victimization experiences, a correlation is documented, however, between victimization experience and changes in ideological positions. Specifically, individuals who are the victims of crime are subsequently more likely than non-victims to state that inequality is high in Argentina and that the appropriate measure to reduce crime is to become less punitive (demanding lower penalties for the same crime). Details: Washington, DC: Inter-American Development Bank, 2009. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: IDB WORKING PAPER SERIES No. IDB-WP-112; Accessed October 23, 2010 at: http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=35004726 Year: 2009 Country: Argentina URL: http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=35004726 Shelf Number: 120059 Keywords: Crime AnalysisInequalityVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Cooper, H. Title: The Causes and Consequences of Community Cohesion in Wales: A Secondary Analysis Summary: Community cohesion is increasingly afforded significance in public policy and planning as an attribute possessed by strong, healthy and vibrant communities. This study uses two largescale surveys of the public living in Wales to empirically investigate the parameters and distribution of cohesion within diverse communities and how cohesion links with public perceptions of crime, policing and victimisation. Our key findings from the data are summarised below: • There are healthy levels of community cohesion overall in Wales, with the majority endorsing the ‘classic’ cohesion statement of ‘this neighbourhood is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together’. • When community cohesion is analysed using a question about being treated with ‘respect and consideration’ – a measure which we argue is more likely to tap into the nature of peoples’ interactions with strangers in their local area - we find that it is a problem for 1 in 3 living in Wales. • This measure of ‘respect and consideration’ captures more variance in public perceptions of cohesion than the classic or commonly used measure. It also emerges more strongly in understanding crime perceptions. • We can identify social groups and areas where community cohesion is lacking in Wales. These include respondents in social housing or in areas characterised by multiple deprivation. • A consistent picture emerges of low community cohesiveness in the Gwent police force area (PFA), particularly among men. • Where levels of community cohesion are compromised, there is also a perceived difficulty in mobilising community resources, that is, to take positive action when faced with a local problem. This is seen most strongly for areas with multiple deprivation and for the Gwent PFA. • Differences in attitudes are apparent between the indigenous population of Wales and those who have migrated to live in Wales, with the former generally holding more traditionalist attitudes and the latter more open to the idea of different cultures and groups. • There is an association between cohesion and crime outcomes concerned with: worry about being the victim of crime; levels of confidence in the police; and reported experience of victimisation, discrimination or harassment in the last five years. These findings, which are most marked using our ‘respect’ measure of community cohesion, take into account relevant social and demographic factors. • The links between cohesion and reported worry about crime are gendered. Trust and the perceived ability of their community to mobilise are particularly important in understanding the worry perceptions of women. Details: Cardiff, Wales: Police Science Institute, Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, 2009. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 28, 2010 at: http://www.upsi.org.uk/resources/UPSICohesionF.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.upsi.org.uk/resources/UPSICohesionF.pdf Shelf Number: 120112 Keywords: Communities and CrimeNeighborhoods and CrimeVictimization |
Author: Gibson, Chris L. Title: Crime and Victimization Among Hispanic Adolescents: A Multilevel Longitudinal Study of Acculturation and Segmented Assimilation Summary: The Hispanic population in the United States has increased considerably over the past two decades, accounting for 40% of the nation’s population growth in the 1990s and 49% of the growth between 2000 and 2004 (U.S. Census, 2005). Unlike previous demographic shifts, this increase has been largely fueled by birthrate which has significant impact on the social context in which new generations of Hispanic Americans are socialized. One area in particular is that of crime and victimization among these “new” Hispanic populations and key to understanding these experiences may be rooted in the acculturation process. This study represents a comprehensive effort to illustrate the divergent experiences of first-, second-, and third-generation Hispanic child and adolescent immigrants with respect to their self-reported violent victimization and involvement in criminal offending. Details: Unpublished Report Submitted to the U.S. National Institute of Justice Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 1, 2010 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/232278.pdf Year: 0 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/232278.pdf Shelf Number: 120321 Keywords: Hispanic AmericansJuvenile OffendersLongitudinal StudiesMinority GroupsVictimizationVictims of Crime, Juveniles |
Author: Blixt, Madeleine Title: Crime Victims' Contacts with the Justice System: An Augmentative STudy Based on the Swedish Crime Survey 2006-2008 and Focus Group Interviews Summary: The treatment received by crime victims at the hands of the justice system should be characterised by consideration and professionalism. This is important for several reasons. When the agencies of the justice system create a sense of confidence and security, this increases both the crime victim’s chances of recovery and the chances of ensuring that the justice system will function effectively while at the same time safeguarding the legal rights of the individual. The perception that crime victims are well-treated by the police, prosecutors and the courts is also important for the public’s confidence in the justice system more generally. Against this background, it is not surprising that the agencies of the justice system have for a long time now been working to improve their treatment of crime victims. During the first decade of the 21st century alone, a wide range of initiatives have been taken to improve the situation of crime victims. The objective of this report is in part to identify well-functioning aspects of the justice system’s work, but also to focus on aspects that may still require further consideration in relation to the justice system’s contacts with the victims of crime. This publication represents a translation of an abridged version of the principal report published in connection with the study Crime victims’ contacts with the justice system, which in turn constitutes part of a more extensive research and development project that has been conducted at the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, entitled The public’s contacts with and confidence in the justice system. The project has already resulted in two reports based on data from the Swedish Crime Survey (SCS), the one an analysis of Relationship violence against women and men (Brå 2009:12), the other a study of Teenagers’ confidence in the justice system and their propensity to report crime (Brå, 2009:20). This, the main report from the project, presents on the one hand a more detailed, quantitative analysis of Swedish Crime Survey data on public attitudes towards and experiences of the justice system, and on the other a qualitative analysis of data from focus group interviews conducted with crime victims. The report is first and foremost intended for those working in the police, the prosecution service and the courts, but its target audience also includes others who come into contact with crime victims in various ways, such as voluntary support organisations and the social services. Details: Stockholm: Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, 2010. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: English Summary of Bra Report 2010:1: Accessed December 2, 2010 at: http://www.bra.se/extra/measurepoint/?module_instance=4&name=Summary_Crime_victims_contacts_with_the%20justice_system_webb.pdf&url=/dynamaster/file_archive/100902/bfd299001dae9e72db200a821d6f0b08/Summary%255fCrime%255fvictims%255fcontacts%255fwith%255fthe%2520justice%255fsystem%255fwebb.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Sweden URL: http://www.bra.se/extra/measurepoint/?module_instance=4&name=Summary_Crime_victims_contacts_with_the%20justice_system_webb.pdf&url=/dynamaster/file_archive/100902/bfd299001dae9e72db200a821d6f0b08/Summary%255fCrime%255fvictims Shelf Number: 120338 Keywords: Victim ServicesVictimizationVictims of Crime, Services for (Sweden) |
Author: Anderson, D. Mark Title: The Effects of Poverty on the Susceptibility to Crime in South Africa Summary: Crime is a major economic and social problem in most developing countries. However, the research devoted to victims is sparse. This paper examines the effects of household-level poverty, measured by household expenditures per capita, on the susceptibility to crime in South Africa. An instrumental variables strategy combined with community fixed effects are used to account for potentially endogenous expenditures and unobserved community heterogeneity, respectively. Across all model specifications the probability a South African household is robbed is increasing in expenditures. When using instrumental variables, the positive effect of expenditures on the susceptibility to robbery increases substantially. In addition, the effect of expenditures remains positive and significant if the sample is restricted to “nonwhite” areas. This suggests that robberies are not only a problem for the rich who live in gated communities and hire private security, but also for the relatively “wealthy” that reside in poorer neighborhoods. Finally, this paper fails to find a statistically significant relationship between expenditures and the susceptibility to violent crimes such as murder, rape, and assault. Details: Seattle, WA: Department of Economics, University of Washington, 2009. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 20, 2010 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1289648 Year: 2009 Country: South Africa URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1289648 Shelf Number: 120555 Keywords: Economics and CrimePoverty (South Africa)RobberyVictimizationViolent Crime |
Author: Medina, Carlos Title: An Assessment of How Urban Crime and Victimization Affects Life Satisfaction Summary: We assess the effect of the homicide rate, individual‟s perception of security in their neighborhood of residence, and of the effect of their having been victimized, on life satisfaction. We find a negative effect of the homicide rate on life satisfaction for the subsample of individuals living in their current houses for at least 10 years or more, who had moved to that place at some point in the past. We also find a positive and robust effect of the perception of security in the households' neighborhood for the whole sample, and for different subsamples considered. Having been victim of an offense is also robustly negatively related to life satisfaction, in particular in the cases where the offense was robbery. Details: Bogota, Colombia: Borradores de Economia, 2011. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper No. 640: Accessed February 9, 2011 at: http://www.banrep.gov.co/docum/ftp/borra640.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.banrep.gov.co/docum/ftp/borra640.pdf Shelf Number: 120731 Keywords: HomicideVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Lemieux, Andrew Michael Title: Risks of Violence in Major Daily Activities: United States, 2003-2005 Summary: The routine activity approach, lifestyle perspective, and environmental criminology, all argue the risk of violence is not distributed evenly across time and space. This dissertation quantifies the risk of violence for different activities and types of place. Using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey and American Time Use Survey, activity- and place-specific rates of violence are calculated to determine (a) which activity or type of place is the most dangerous, (b) the relative risk of activities and types of place, and (c) how activity- and place-specific risks vary between demographic subgroups. Time-based rates are used to account for the reality that Americans do not spend equal amounts of time in activities and types of place. The activity-specific analysis showed sleeping was the safest activity in America; going to and from school was the most dangerous. The risk of violence during the school commute is 285 times higher than it is while sleeping. The place-specific analysis indicated home was the safest place to be while the street was the most dangerous; the risk of violence on the street was 51 times higher than it was at home. When rates of violence were calculated for demographic subgroups of the American population, the race and sex of individuals were found to have little effect on the risk of violence. Age was the only demographic variable included in the analysis that had substantial impact on the risk of victimization in different activities and types of place. These findings indicate crime prevention strategies cannot neglect the role lifestyles play in an individual’s risk of victimization. Because the risk of violence varies greatly between activities and types of place it is inappropriate to label demographic subgroups as high risk based on the population size alone. This research indicates it is what people do, not who they are, that determines their risk of violence. Additionally, this research shows risk assessments that do not account for the transient nature of Americans in time and space can produce misleading information as to which activities and types of place are the most dangerous. Details: Unpublished Dissertation, Rutgers University, School of Criminal Justice, 2010. 549p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/232436.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/232436.pdf Shelf Number: 120744 Keywords: Routine ActivitiesVictimizationViolenceViolent Crime |
Author: Fox, Kathleen A. Title: Crime Victimization and Gang Membership Summary: Interest in gangs as a major social problem has begun to reemerge in light of recent attention from politicians, law enforcement, and researchers. Law enforcement officers report that the gang problem has significantly increased since 2001. Law enforcement and researchers have well-established the relationship between gang membership and offending. Compared to the amount of work devoted to understanding the relationship between gang membership and offending, much less is known about the ways in which gang members experience crime victimization. Therefore, this study builds upon recent work that examines the gang-victimization link, and examines the effects of social disorganization among a sample of gang and non-gang prison inmates. A sample of gang and non-gang members incarcerated in prison were interviewed and responded to a series of questions regarding involvement in crime, experiences with victimization, and perceptions of neighborhood disorganization. The current study aimed to examine the following questions. 1. Are gang members more likely to be victimized compared to non-gang members? The findings indicate that gang members were significantly more likely to be victimized compared to non-gang members. 2. Are perceptions of social disorganization associated with victimization? The results of this study show that perceptions of social disorganization explained the likelihood of victimization among gang members only. 3. Does accounting for inmates’ offending mediate the relationship between social disorganization and victimization? Results indicate that Crime perpetration was an influential factor for affecting the relationship between perceptions of social disorganization and victimization among gang members. These findings are discussed in terms of gang prevention programs. The results reported in this report challenge some of the assumptions young people have about the value of joining a gang, and this information could help inform prevention programs. Details: Huntsville, TX: Crime Victims' Institute, Sam Houston State University, Criminal Justice Center, 2011. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 29, 2011 at: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/Gang_Crime_Victimization_final.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/Gang_Crime_Victimization_final.pdf Shelf Number: 121197 Keywords: GangsSocial DisorganizationVictimization |
Author: Pelser, Eric Title: Learning to be Lost: Youth Crime in South Africa Summary: This document is a discussion paper debating policy that is relevant to youth crime in South Africa. The paper argues that youth crime, indeed, crime in South Africa, is a function of the development and replication, over the past 30 years of a “culture of violence“, a “normalisation of crime and violence” amongst an “underclass” of negatively socialised and socially excluded youth who constitute a significant proportion of South Africa’s population. The youth revolt of 1976 and the rebellion of the 1980s critically wounded the key institutions of informal authority – South Africa’s families and schools - and these have not been adequately healed. To put it bluntly, the children of yesterday’s “lost generation” have not, as yet, been found and given relief – rather, they are now learning to be lost. This, it is argued, can be attributed in part to a strategic misconception of the nature of crime in the country and, related to this, poor strategy options post 1994. The paper is presented as a discussion document and is intended to stimulate debate on the policy choices that need to be made to address the issues. The paper therefore provides a brief overview of the scope and nature of youth crime and victimisation, a look at the critical factors driving this, the current policy environment and then, some suggestions on what is likely to be effective in the future and the appropriate institutional arrangements for this. Details: Cape Town, South Africa: Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, 2008. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 8, 2011 at: http://www.hsrc.ac.za/Document-2774.phtml Year: 2008 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.hsrc.ac.za/Document-2774.phtml Shelf Number: 121280 Keywords: Crime StatisticsJuvenile Offenders (South Africa)Victimization |
Author: Harrell, Erika Title: Workplace Violence, 1993-2009 Summary: Presents information on violence in the workplace against employed persons based on the Bureau of Justice Statistics' National Crime Victimization Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. This report includes both nonfatal and fatal forms of violence. Comparisons are made with violence against unemployed persons and violence against employed persons outside of the workplace. Information on type of workplace violence is included. Also discussed is violence by occupation as well as information on victim and crime characteristics such as gender and race distribution, offender weapon use, police notification, and victim injury. Highlights include the following: From 2002 to 2009, the rate of nonfatal workplace violence has declined by 35%, following a 62% decline in the rate from 1993 to 2002; and Between 2005 and 2009, law enforcement officers, security guards, and bartenders had the highest rates of nonfatal workplace violence; Among workplace homicides that occurred between 2005 and 2009, about 28% involved victims in sales and related occupations and about 17% involved victims in protective service occupations. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Special Report: Accessed April 8, 2011 at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/wv09.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/wv09.pdf Shelf Number: 121289 Keywords: Crime StatisticsVictimizationVictimization SurveysViolent CrimeWorkplace CrimeWorplace Violence |
Author: Canada. Statistics Canada Title: Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile Summary: This is the thirteenth annual Family Violence in Canada report produced by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics under the Federal Family Violence Initiative. This report provides the most current data on the nature and extent of family violence in Canada, as well as trends over time, as part of the ongoing initiative to inform policy makers and the public about family violence issues. Each year the report has a different focus. This year, the focus of the report is on self-reported incidents of spousal victimization from the 2009 General Social Survey on Victimization. In addition, using police-reported data, the report also presents information on family violence against children and youth, family violence against seniors (aged 65 years and older), and family-related homicides. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2011. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2011 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-224-x/85-224-x2010000-eng.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-224-x/85-224-x2010000-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 121301 Keywords: Crime StatisticsElder AbuseFamily ViolenceHomicidesIntimate Partner ViolenceSpouse AbuseVictimization |
Author: Kavanaugh, Philip R. Title: Storylines of Physical and Sexual Assault in Urban Nightlife: The Impact of Individual Disposition and Social Context Summary: The primary purposes of the current research are: (1) to examine how individual disposition and social context in criminal offending and victimization, and (2) examine this relationship in understudied crime locations – in this study, urban nightlife venues (i.e., bars and nightclubs). These social contexts provide a major source of leisure activity for numerous young adults today but remain an understudied hot-spot in mainstream criminology, despite the fact that levels of crime and victimization associated with these scenes is regarded as widespread and increasing. Examining crime and victimization in this increasingly popular socio-cultural context has the potential to expand the scope of criminology by accounting for settings and populations not sufficiently addressed in prior work. Theoretically I draw on the recently proposed storyline approach outlined by Robert Agnew. Using storylines as an analytical framework, I posit that as an individual enters certain social contexts, situations will arise that lead to opportunities for crime, deviance, and victimization. Whether outcomes such as physical and sexual assault occur depend on the three factors: (1) a certain individual disposition – which includes more static characteristics influenced by one’s background, as well as more ephemeral characteristics such emotional state and role identity, (2) a social context or spatial location that is either conducive to or prohibitive of criminal outcomes, and (3) a confrontation or situation that arises where an individual makes certain behavioral choices. Depending on the confluence of these three factors, some individuals will engage in crime, some will become victims, and others will either experience non-criminal outcomes or walk away from potentially dangerous situations. In order to provide empirical support for this thesis I use multi-method ethnographic data to construct: (1) storylines about respondent experiences with physical and sexual assault, (2) identity profiles to identify key dispositional or “background” factors, and (3) contextual profiles detailing the organization and atmosphere of the social spaces in which their criminal and victimization experiences occurred. The analysis then pairs 1-3 into what kind of combinations resulted in physical and sexual assault, and reveals the contribution of each of the three factors specified: situation, disposition, and context. This dissertation is a secondary analysis of a previous ethnographic study on which this author served as the primary research assistant/co-investigator. All analyses are based on information collected in this 2005-2006 ethnographic study. Details: Newark, DE: University of Delaware, 2010. 272p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 13, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/230408.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/230408.pdf Shelf Number: 121324 Keywords: Alcohol Related CrimeBars and NightclubsRapeSexual AssaultVictimization |
Author: Huff, Rodney Title: The 2010 National Public Survey On White Collar Crime Summary: The 2010 National Public Survey on White Collar Crime was designed by the National White Collar Crime Center to measure the public’s experience with white collar crime in the following areas: ● Victimization ● Reporting behaviors ● Perceptions of crime seriousness The survey was administered from June to August, 2010 and employed random digit dialing techniques to provide a national sample. Landline and cell phone interviews of 2,503 adult participants were conducted in English and Spanish. Respondents were asked about experiences within their households concerning white collar crime within the past 12 months, as well as about personal encounters with these crimes within the past 12 months. The experiences measured were mortgage fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft , unnecessary home or auto repairs, price misrepresentation, and losses occurring due to false stockbroker information, fraudulent business ventures, and Internet scams. The study found that: ● 24% of households and 17% of individuals reported experiencing at least one form of these victimizations within the previous year ● Respondents reported victimization at both household and individual levels most oft en as a result of credit card fraud, price misrepresentation, and unnecessary object repairs In conjunction with direct victimization questions, respondents were asked whether or not the victimization was reported to law enforcement or other entities that might be able to assist the victim. Of the household victimizations: ● 54.7% were reported to at least one external recipient or agency (e.g., credit card company, business or person involved, law enforcement, consumer protection agency, personal att orney, etc.) ● Only 11.7% were reported to law enforcement or some other crime control agency. In an effort to gauge public perception of the seriousness of crime, respondents were presented with 12 scenarios that included various white collar crimes as well as traditional offenses. The scenarios were grouped into eight categories. These categories were, in turn, ordered into four dichotomies: (1) white collar/traditional crime, (2) crimes involving physical harm/money, (3) crimes involving organizational/individual off enders, and (4) crimes involving high-status/low-status offenders. Based upon the categorization, findings suggest that: ● Respondents viewed white collar crime as slightly more serious than traditional crime types ● Offenses committed at the organizational level were viewed more harshly than those committed by individuals ● Crimes committed by high-status off enders (those in a position of trust) were seen as more troubling than those committ ed by low-status persons. By collecting responses related to victimization, reporting behaviors, and perceptions of crime seriousness, the present survey reveals valuable information concerning the public’s experiences with white collar crime: ● Nearly one in four households was victimized by white collar crime within the previous year ● Few victimization reports reached crime control agencies. The survey also inquired about respondents’ perceptions of the impact of white collar crime on the current economic crisis, as well as the level of resources appropriated by the government to fight white collar crime. The survey found that: ● A majority believed white collar crime has contributed to the current economic crisis ● Nearly half the participants said that government is not devoting enough resources to combat white collar crimes. Details: Fairmont, WV: National White Collar Crime Center, 2010. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 18, 2011 at: http://crimesurvey.nw3c.org/docs/nw3c2010survey.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://crimesurvey.nw3c.org/docs/nw3c2010survey.pdf Shelf Number: 121388 Keywords: Credit Card FraudCrime SeriousnessCrime SurveysIdentity TheftVictimizationWhite Collar Crime |
Author: Kivivuori, Janne Title: Supervision Mode Effects in School-Based Delinquency and Victimization Survey: Preliminary Test Summary: Supervision mode is one of the core design aspects in sensitive topics surveys conducted in schools, including self-report delinquency and victimization surveys. In the current study, two groups of 15-16-year-old students completed a self-report delinquency survey questionnaire under two different supervision conditions: one was supervised by researchers (N=239) and the other by teachers (N=243). The findings on the overall structure and patterns of delinquency are very similar irrespective of the mode of supervision. Outside supervision appears to yield higher prevalence levels of self-reported cases of property destruction and drug use, while violence reporting manifests lesser differences. Computer-related offences yielded identical results in both conditions. Students under researcher supervision reported more criminal victimizations than those under teacher supervision; the difference was most marked in theft victimization. Questions tapping into more serious victimization did not manifest clear supervision mode effect. The limitations of this small-scale preliminary study include group level randomization, and a matching process which did not preclude non-random compositional effects. Future methods research designs would benefit from larger samples and/or individual level randomization. Details: Helsinki: National Research Institute of Legal Policy, 2011. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Brief 20/2011: Accessed April 21, 2011 at: http://www.optula.om.fi/Satellite?blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobcol=urldata&SSURIapptype=BlobServer&SSURIcontainer=Default&SSURIsession=false&blobkey=id&blobheadervalue1=inline;%20filename=Verkko20_Kivivuori_Salmi.pdf&SSURIsscontext=Satellite%20Server&blobwhere=1296728372438&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&ssbinary=true&blobheader=application/pdf Year: 2011 Country: Finland URL: http://www.optula.om.fi/Satellite?blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobcol=urldata&SSURIapptype=BlobServer&SSURIcontainer=Default&SSURIsession=false&blobkey=id&blobheadervalue1=inline;%20filename=Verkko20_Kivivuori_Salmi.pdf&SSURIssconte Shelf Number: 121462 Keywords: Juvenile DelinquencyJuvenile Offenders (Finland)Self-Report StudiesVictimization |
Author: Rufino, Katrina A. Title: Characteristics of Gang Membership and Victimization Summary: The relationship between gang membership and crime victimization has only recently begun to be examined. Much remains unknown about the descriptive nature of the gang-victimization link, especially among incarcerated populations. The current study aimed to provide a backdrop to the emerging gang-victimization literature by examining: (1) characteristics of victimization for gang and non-gang members, (2) descriptors of gang membership comparing victimized to non-victimized gang members, and (3) characteristics of gang membership comparing victimized to non-victimized gang members. A sample of both gang and non-gang member prison inmates were interviewed and answered a series of questions regarding involvement in crime and experiences with victimization. Gang members answered further questions pertaining to gang membership and gang member conduct. Results indicate that gang members were significantly more likely to be victimized compared to nongang members and gang members were more likely to be alone and under the influence of substances when victimized. Characteristics of membership and gang member conduct by victimization status are also presented. Details: Huntsville, TX: Crime Victim's Institute, Criminal Justice Center, Sam Houston State University, 2011. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2011 at: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/Characteristics%2003_31_11.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/Characteristics%2003_31_11.pdf Shelf Number: 121607 Keywords: GangsVictimization |
Author: Kercher, Glen Title: Stalking in Texas Summary: Stalking is not new behavior, but it has only been in the last sixteen years that every state and the federal government have passed laws making it a crime. This crime involves deliberate, repeated, unwanted, and fear-inducing acts on the part of one person toward another, usually in a relationship context of some kind. Stalking is not an easy crime to investigate. To those unfamiliar with the dynamics of this behavior, many stalking incidents may be seen merely as disagreements between intimates. Even before legislation was enacted to address this behavior, public awareness of this crime had increased as a result of news accounts of persons who had been so victimized. It has been estimated that one in 12 women and one in 45 men in this country will be stalked at least once in their lifetimes. This report presents information on stalking victimization among Texas residents. The data for this report came from a telephone survey of a random sample of Texas residents. Over 700 adult residents were queried about their experiences with stalking. They were asked if in the last 24 months they had experienced any of 19 stalking behaviors. Surprisingly, 18.26% of the respondents (n=128) reported being stalked during that time period. The significant findings from this study are summarized. • 128 victims reported 453 stalking incidents in the past 24 months. • The 2 most frequently reported stalking acts were receiving repeated phone calls, and having things stolen from the victim. • Stalking victims are most likely to be under 35 years of age. • Asian residents showed the highest rate of victimization, followed by Hispanics. • Stalking victims are most likely to be single/never married, but separated/divorced residents were the second most likely to be stalked. • Men (16%) and women (19.9%) were about equally likely to be stalked, which is contrary to what has been reported elsewhere. • The average number of stalking incidents per victim was 3.5. This number did not differ by gender of victim. • Over 75% of stalking victims reported at least one adverse emotional effect. The most common effect was anger, followed by loss of sleep. • Stalking victims are likely to be acquainted with the offender (57%). The most commonly reported relationship with the offender was a male acquaintance (26%). This was true for both men and women. • Stalking is often preceded by violence between the victim and offender. Of those who previously knew the offender, 61.6% reported prior violence by the offender. This suggests that stalkers are often motivated by possessiveness and control issues. • Among the victims who had some idea why they were targeted (75%), the most common reason given was jealousy on the part of the offender. • Only 43% of victims reported the incidents to the police. Based on these findings, recommendations were made about the need for continuing educational efforts for the public and for people who work with victims of this crime. The importance of victim input in investigating this crime was underscored, as were suggestions for thoroughly investigating reports of stalking and the provision of support services for victims. Details: Huntsville, TX: Crime Victim's Institute, Criminal Justice Center, Sam Houston State University, 2007. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2011 at: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/Stalking_Report.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/Stalking_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 121608 Keywords: HarassmentStalking (Texas)VictimizationVictims of Crimes |
Author: Amin, Mohammad Title: Crime, Security, and Firms in Latin America Summary: Existing studies show that crime is more rampant in the larger cities and that wealthier individuals are more often targeted. Using Enterprise Surveys data for 14 Latin American countries, we find that one- third of the firms surveyed suffer from one or more incident of crime annually, which is roughly similar to the percentage of households affected. Crime-related losses average 2.7 percent of annual sales for all firms in the sample, which is more than the reported amount of bribery, losses due to power outages, and firms’ expenditure on research and development. We also find that the relatively well-off large firms are more likely to be victims of crime than the small firms, but losses due to crime as a percentage of annual sales are bigger for small firms. In short, crime in the region is regressive. Last, larger cities are more prone to crime than the smaller cities. However, we find that what matters for crime is the relative size of a city within a country; its absolute size is irrelevant. Details: Washington, DC: World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation, 2009. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: Enterprise Note No. 2: Accessed May 11, 2011 at: http://www.enterprisesurveys.org/Documents/EnterpriseNotes/Note2.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Central America URL: http://www.enterprisesurveys.org/Documents/EnterpriseNotes/Note2.pdf Shelf Number: 121714 Keywords: BriberyCrimes Against Businesses (Latin America)Financial CrimesVictimization |
Author: Zannoni, Elio Title: Jewellery Store Robbery: A Victim Risk and Intervention Perspective Summary: This exploratory study investigated jewellery store robbery from a victim risk and intervention perspective. An explanation of the phenomenon was offered based on the information obtained from a review of the existing literature, case studies, personal observations at jewellery stores, discussions with jewellers, a scientific questionnaire submitted to jewellers, and semi-structured and structured interviews conducted with a group of knowledgeable respondents and victimized jewellers respectively. A predominantly quantitative research method was applied. The research findings obtained during the study enabled a proposal for a jewellery store robbery intervention model based on the situational crime prevention perpsective, which is inclusive of decisional, environmental, situational, procedural, personnel and business-oriented strategies. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: University of South Africa, 2009. 259p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 11, 2011 at: http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/1693/dissertation.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2009 Country: South Africa URL: http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/1693/dissertation.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 121717 Keywords: Commercial RobberyJewellery Store RobberySituational Crime PreventionStolen GoodsVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: National Center for Victims of Crime, Stalking Resource Center Title: Model Campus Stalking Policy Summary: Stalking behaviors on campus can be difficult to recognize and ameliorate. It is important to remember that stalking is not a one-time event, but a series of incidents that can escalate and lead to violence. And, although much progress had been made in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault on campus, stalking is neither adequately discussed under many existing campus policies nor addressed in prevention efforts. Given the prevalence of stalking on campuses and its impact on victims, a dedicated effort to address stalking on campus is necessary. National prevalence rates on stalking are startling. The 2009 Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Stalking Victimization in the United States, estimated that 3.4 million people were stalked during a 12-month period. Persons ages 18 to 24 (average age of college students) experienced the highest rates of stalking victimization. Research also shows that stalking is a significant problem on college campuses and these studies find higher rates of stalking victimization among college-aged women than that of the general population. The National College Women Sexual Victimization Study found that over 13 percent of college women had been stalked in the academic year prior to the study. Though stalking behavior is often prolonged and ongoing, the majority of stalking incidents (over 83 percent) were not reported to police or campus law enforcement. Three in ten college women reported being injured emotionally or psychologically from being stalked. It is important to note that stalking often occurs in the context of both dating violence and sexual assault. In one study, researchers found that 43 percent of victims were stalked by a current/ former boyfriend and in 10 percent of incidents, the victim reported that the stalker forced or attempted sexual contact. Other research on sexual assault on college campuses found that perpetrators of these assaults were premeditating, repeat offenders, who used strategies we identify as classic stalking strategies (such as surveillance and information gathering) to select and ensure the vulnerability of their victims. The Stalking Resource Center recommends the development of a collaborative and comprehensive response to stalking on campus that includes creating a campus stalking policy. A university or college stalking policy is one of the best ways to address the significant problem of stalking on campus. A policy demonstrates institutional commitment to the issue and serves as an authoritative mechanism to inform the campus community about this serious crime. A policy on stalking can create guidelines for students, informs the campus body that stalking behaviors will not be tolerated, and can be a proactive measure in guiding student behavior on campus. Details: Washington, DC: National Center for Victims of Crime, 2011. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 29, 2011 at: http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/AGP.Net/Components/documentViewer/Download.aspxnz?DocumentID=48282 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/AGP.Net/Components/documentViewer/Download.aspxnz?DocumentID=48282 Shelf Number: 121891 Keywords: Campus CrimeCampus SafetyColleges and UniversitiesSexual HarassmentStalking (U.S.)Victimization |
Author: Reyns, Bradford W. Title: Being Pursued Online: Extent and Nature of Cyberstalking Victimization from a Lifestyle/Routine Activities Perspective Summary: The field of stalking has experienced a great deal of growth and refinement over the last decade, but its online counterpart is still little understood. The study of cyberstalking has been challenged by conceptual issues (e.g., defining cyberstalking), a lack of data, and other methodological concerns (e.g., small sample sizes, obtaining sampling frames). The extent of cyberstalking victimization is not currently known, but estimates range from 3.7% to 31% of study participants in the few studies that have attempted to estimate its scope. However, because of definitional inconsistencies and methodological deficiencies in past work, comparisons across studies are difficult. The issue is further complicated by studies that have measured cyberstalking as method of pursuit for spatial stalkers. The current study is an attempt to build upon and overcome the shortcomings of past work in the area. Accordingly, the purpose of this dissertation is threefold: (1) to estimate the extent of cyberstalking among a sample of undergraduate students at a large urban university in the Midwest, using a definition of cyberstalking based on legal statutes and previous research; (2) to utilize the lifestyle/routine activities theory perspective to better understand correlates of victimization; and (3) to determine whether this theoretical framework can be used to explain victimization in cyberspace. Findings indicate that the number of online social networks an individual owns, the number of daily updates to those networks, use of AOL Instant Messenger (AOL IM), allowing strangers to access personal information online (e.g., adding strangers as friends to social networking sites), using online services designed to monitor online network activity (i.e., profile trackers), engaging in online deviance, and low self-control are significant predictors of cyberstalking victimization, suggesting moderate support for lifestyle/routine activities theory in explaining cyberstalking. Possible methods for preventing cyberstalking are discussed. Details: Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati, School of Criminal Justice, 2010. 186p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed July 1, 2011 at: http://www.cech.uc.edu/criminaljustice/files/2010/05/reyns_dissertation.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.cech.uc.edu/criminaljustice/files/2010/05/reyns_dissertation.pdf Shelf Number: 121932 Keywords: Computer CrimesCyberstalkingHarassmentInternet CrimesStalkingVictimization |
Author: Sweeney, Josh Title: Victimisation and Fear of Crime Among a Sample of Police Detainees: Findings from the DUMA Program Summary: This study examines the self-reported victimisation and fear of victimisation for three crime types — physical assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft — using data collected from 816 adult police detainees interviewed as part of the AIC’s DUMA program. Specifically, data were collected from alleged offenders who were detained and interviewed (but not yet convicted) during the second quarter of 2010 (April–June) at any one of the following eight DUMA data collection sites—Bankstown, Parramatta, Brisbane, Southport, East Perth, Adelaide, Footscray and Darwin. For each of the three offence types, detainees were asked to indicate the number of occasions they had been a victim in the past 12 months and whether they considered it likely or very likely that they would be a victim of the offence in the next 12 months. For those who reported being victims, questions were also designed to ascertain the victim’s knowledge of their offender and their willingness to report their victimisation to the police. To identify the extent to which police detainees reported higher or lower rates of victimisation when compared with the general population, comparative analysis was conducted using data from the Australian component of the 2004 ICVS. However, as the detainee population was predominately male and aged under 35 years, and because victimisation experiences are likely to vary by age and gender, weighting the data was necessary to ensure accurate and reliable comparisons. To this end, the ICVS data were weighted in proportion to the age and gender profile of the DUMA detainees. There are a number of limitations that should be considered when interpreting these results. First, it is important to note that DUMA is a voluntary self-report survey of alleged offenders detained by the police and as with all self-report surveys, the quality of the data is dependent on the truthfulness and reliability of the respondents. Second, the ICVS data used for comparative analysis was collected in 2004, some six years earlier than the data collected from police detainees. Although other more recent victimisation surveys have been conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), data with sufficient disaggregation by age and gender to allow for detailed data weighting and analysis are not available to the public. Further, unlike ICVS, the ABS surveys do not include comparable questions on the fear or expectations of victimisation; see Sweeney and Payne (forthcoming) for further methodological information about the DUMA program. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Research in Practice, No. 17: Accessed September 2, 2011 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/8/9/3/%7B8933D211-6500-4622-A82F-39AD291FE76E%7Drip17_001.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/8/9/3/%7B8933D211-6500-4622-A82F-39AD291FE76E%7Drip17_001.pdf Shelf Number: 122623 Keywords: Fear of Crime (Australia)VictimizationVictimization SurveysVictims of Crimes |
Author: South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs, Statistical Analysis Center Title: By Force and Without Consent: A Five Year Overview of Sexual Violence in South Carolina: 2005 - 2009 Summary: By Force and Without Consent: A Five Year Overview of Sexual Violence in South Carolina 2005 – 2009 is the second in a series of ongoing reports, designed to provide basic information about victims of sexual violence over a five year period. The information presented in the tables, graphs and charts in this publication is based on incident reports submitted to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) by state and local law enforcement agencies. These reports are edited and reviewed, corrected as needed and compiled to form the basis of the information presented in this report. It is important to note that the information in this report is only as complete and accurate as the information reported to local law enforcement and subsequently submitted to SLED. By their very nature, unreported crimes cannot be included in the report. While there are a variety of legal and social definitions of sexual violence, this report uses a broad definition of sexual violence, parsed into meaningful sub-categories, in order to provide as much useful information as possible. This report seeks to provide information concerning the scope and nature of sexual violence at the state level; however the overall emphasis of the report is to provide information concerning short term trends and county level information. The study found that nearly all the statewide indicators of sexual violence victimization trends demonstrated a decline from 2004 through 2008. Overall, the number of sexual violence victims decreased 10.7%, while the sexual violence victimization rate per 10,000 decreased 16.1% over the five year period. The invasive sexual violence victimization rate decreased (17.2%), the rape victimization rate decreased (11.9%), the forcible sodomy victimization rate decreased (37.5%); the sexual assault with an object victimization rate decreased (19.6%) as did the forcible fondling victimization rate (14.3%). Similarly, sexual violence victimization rates against children and adults decreased 19.1% and 6.8% respectively from 2004 through 2008. Following the same pattern over the five year time period, sexual violence victimization rates involving family victim/offender relationships decreased (6.8%), as did the sexual violence victimization rates involving marital victim/offender relationships (23.8%), sexual violence victimization involving victim/offender relationships where the victim and offender knew but did not have a family, marital or romantic relationship (17%), and sexual violence victimization involving strangers (18.1%). The lone exception to this pattern of decreasing sexual victimization rates was the sexual victimization rate involving romantic victim/offender relationships, which increased 5.6% from 2004 through 2008. It is important to note that romantic victim/offender relationships accounted for less than 4% of sexual violence victimization. Details: Blythewood, SC: South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs, 2011. 244p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2011 at: http://www.scdps.org/ojp/stats/SexualViolence/By%20Force%20and%20Without%20Consent%202005%20-%202009%20Final%20Version.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.scdps.org/ojp/stats/SexualViolence/By%20Force%20and%20Without%20Consent%202005%20-%202009%20Final%20Version.pdf Shelf Number: 123071 Keywords: Crime StatisticsSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual Assault (South Carolina)Sexual ViolenceVictimization |
Author: Gilgen, Elisabeth Title: Reading between the Lines: Crime and Victimization in Liberia Summary: Reading between the Lines: Crime and Victimization in Liberia considers information on the types of violence reported, how violence is perpetrated, where it takes place, when it occurs, and who the main perpetrators and victims are. The Issue Brief also presents examples of programming efforts prevent and reduce crime and violence. The study finds that almost one in seven households reports that at least one household member was the victim of an act of violence or crime between mid-2009 and mid-2010. Crime and violence are more common in Monrovia than in the rest of the country, and robbery and theft is by far the most frequent crime and act of violence. Details: Geneva: Liberia Armed Violence Assessment, Small Arms Survey, 2011. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Small Arms Survey Issue Brief No. 2: Accessed November 1, 2011 at: http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/G-Issue-briefs/Liberia-AVA-IB2.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/G-Issue-briefs/Liberia-AVA-IB2.pdf Shelf Number: 123194 Keywords: RobberyVictimizationViolenceViolent Crime (Liberia) |
Author: Ringland, Clare Title: Is the Assault Rate in NSW Higher Now Than It Was During the 1990s? Summary: The rate of police-recorded assault more than doubled in NSW between 1990 and 2007. This bulletin investigates whether the increase was due to a genuine increase in violence or an increase in the amount and/or type of violent behaviour coming to police attention. Trends and patterns in police-recorded assault from 1995 to 2007 are supplemented with crime victim survey data, hospitalisations data and a selection of narratives for assault incidents. Over the period, rates of assault increased for both males and females and for all age groups. Increases occurred in both aggravated and common assault, assault with a weapon and without, in all statistical divisions and premise types. These trends in police-recorded assault, supported by increases in hospitalisation and victim survey data, suggest a real increase in violence. However, less serious police-recorded assaults (e.g. common assault and assault without a weapon) have increased at a greater rate than more serious assaults, and more recent assault narratives included a greater proportion of assaults with less serious actions. In addition, the increase in hospitalisations for assault was small in comparison to increases in police-recorded assault and crime survey victimisation rates. Thus, it is likely that the increase in assault was due not only to an increase in violence, but also to an increase in public awareness of assault and the increased willingness of victims and third parties to report, and/or police willingness to record, incidents as assault. Published by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research Details: Sydney: New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2009. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice, no. 127; Accessed November 2, 2011 at: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/cjb127.pdf/$file/cjb127.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/cjb127.pdf/$file/cjb127.pdf Shelf Number: 123215 Keywords: Assaults (Australia)Crime RatesCrime TrendsPolice ReportingVictimizationViolenceViolent Crime |
Author: Brennan, Shannon Title: Canadians' perceptions of personal safety and crime, 2009 Summary: The effects of crime are vast and varied, and may result in many physical, financial, and emotional consequences for those directly involved. Moreover, the effects of crime can extend beyond victims (Jackson 2006, Gardner 2008). Previous research has shown that indirect exposure to crime can impact feelings of security within entire communities, and may create a fear of crime. Fear of crime refers to the fear, rather than the probability, of being a victim of crime, and may not be reflective of the actual prevalence of crime (Fitzgerald 2008). Self-reported victimization data have shown that, in Canada, rates of victimization have remained stable over the past decade (Perreault and Brennan 2010). In the same vein, police-reported data has shown decreases in both the amount and severity of crime, with the crime rate reaching its lowest point since 1973 (Brennan and Dauvergne 2011). Despite these findings, crime continues to remain an issue of concern for many Canadians. Using data from the 2009 General Social Survey (GSS) on Victimization, this Juristat article examines the perceptions of personal safety and crime of Canadians 15 years and older living in the 10 provinces. More specifically, it looks at their overall level of satisfaction with their personal safety from crime over time at the national, provincial and census metropolitan area levels. In addition, this article examines Canadians’ feelings of safety when performing various activities in their communities, and their use of crime prevention techniques in the previous 12 months. Finally, Canadians’ perceptions of the prevalence of crime and social disorder in their neighbourhoods are explored. Details: Canada: Statistics Canada, Minister of Industry, 2011. 21p. Source: Juristat article: Internet Resource: Accessed February 17, 2012 at http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2011001/article/11577-eng.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2011001/article/11577-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 124159 Keywords: Fear of Crime (Canada)NeighborhoodsPublic SafetyVictimizationVictimization Surveys |
Author: Vlachova, Marie Title: Women in an Insecure World: Violence against Women - Facts, Figures and Analysis Summary: According to estimates by the United Nations, up to 200 million women and girls are demographically ‘missing’. The euphemism hides one of the most shocking crimes against humanity. Given the biological norm of 100 new-born girls to every 103 new-born boys, millions more women should be living amongst us. If they are not, if they are ‘missing’, then they have been killed, or have died through neglect and mistreatment. Women live in a very insecure world indeed. Many fall victim to gender selective abortion and infanticide (boys being preferred to girls). Others do not receive the same amount of food and medical attention as their brothers, fathers and husbands. Others again fall prey to sexual offenders, to ‘honour killings’ and to acid attacks (most often for refusing a suitor). An estimated 5,000 women are burnt to death each year in ‘kitchen accidents’ because their dowry was seen as being too modest. Scores succumb to the special horrors and hardships that conflict, war and post-conflict situations reserve for girls and women. A shocking number of women are killed within their own walls through domestic violence. Rape and sexual exploitation remain, moreover, a reality for countless women; millions are trafficked; some sold like cattle. The full magnitude of the issue sinks in only if we put the figures into perspective: The number of the ‘missing’ women, killed for gender-related reasons, is of the same order of magnitude as the estimated 191 million human beings who have lost their lives directly or indirectly as a result of all the conflicts and wars of the 20th century – which was, with two world wars and numerous other murderous conflicts, the most violent period in human history so far. A sustained demographic ‘deficit’ of 100- 200 million women implies that each year 1.5 to 3 million girls and women are killed through gender related violence. In comparison: each year some 2.8 million people die of AIDS, 1.27 million of malaria. Or, put in the most horrible terms: violence against women causes every 2 to 4 years a mountain of corpses equal to the Jewish Holocaust. Globally, women aged between fifteen and forty-four are more likely to be injured or die as a result of male violence than through cancer, traffic accidents, malaria and war combined. Women in an Insecure World has, therefore, tried to bring together in one book – in probably the most comprehensive effort so far – the facts and figures. Often these figures are not more than best estimates – for violence against women goes all too often unreported. The recognition that – in face of a problem of such magnitude – we cannot even count on good statistics is in itself a shocking and unacceptable fact. Details: Geneva, Switzerland: Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, 2005. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 17, 2012 at http://www.unicef.org/emerg/files/women_insecure_world.pdf Year: 2005 Country: International URL: http://www.unicef.org/emerg/files/women_insecure_world.pdf Shelf Number: 124162 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceVictimizationVictims of Family ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Gibson, Chris L. Title: Unpacking the Influence of Neighborhood Context and Antisocial Propensity on Violent Victimization of Children and Adolescents in Chicago Summary: This research combines social disorganization and self-control theories to understand violent victimization among children and adolescents. In doing so, several research questions are investigated to explore the independent and interactive influences that neighborhood disadvantage and low self-control have on violent victimization risk. Data from the 9, 12, and 15-year old cohorts of the Longitudinal Cohort Study in the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN-LCS) were used in this study. Data analyzed were from self-reports of children, adolescents, and their primary caregivers during waves 1 and 2 of the longitudinal data collection effort. In addition, neighborhood structural characteristics from the U.S. Census were also analyzed. Results from a combination of hierarchical generalized linear models and multivariate logistic regression models with robust standard errors revealed that violent victimization did not significantly vary across neighborhoods, and independent of various behavioral and lifestyle choices made by children and adolescents, low self-control increased the risk for becoming a victim of violence. Additionally, choices made by them also influenced their risk of violent victimization; those who reported engaging in violent offending, spending more time in unstructured activities, and having more delinquent peers had a higher risk of being a victim of violence. Further analysis shows that the association between low self-control and violent victimization risk varies across levels of neighborhood concentrated disadvantage in which youth live; low self-control’s influence in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods dissipated while it was amplified for those living in the least disadvantaged neighborhoods. Unstructured socializing with peers was the only factor that significantly influenced violent victimization risk across low, medium and high disadvantaged neighborhoods. Findings are consistent with a “social push” perspective, which suggests that disadvantaged environments provide social pressures that may override the influence of individual differences on vulnerability to violent victimization. Implications of this study’s findings are discussed as they relate to policy, prevention and theory; while also setting forth a research agenda on neighborhoods, antisocial traits, and violent victimization risk for future research. Details: Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 2012. 79p. Source: Final Report: Internet Resource: Accessed February 18, 2012 at https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/237731.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/237731.pdf Shelf Number: 124181 Keywords: AdolescentsCrime StatisticsJuvenile VictimsSelf-Report StudiesVictimizationViolent Crime |
Author: Hardy, Jeff Title: Understanding Crime in Urban and Rural Areas Summary: The Rural and Urban Area Classification 2004 provides a method of identifying issues specific to rural areas. The classification defines each census output area as urban, town and fringe, village or hamlet and isolated dwelling. Using this classification in conjunction with recorded crime data, arson data, the Leicester Shire Business Survey and Leicestershire County Council’s Citizens’ Panel enables a comparison of crime issues between the urban and rural areas of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Between 2002/03 and 2004/05 the total number of offences recorded by the police in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland had decreased. The largest percentage decrease was in the hamlet and isolated dwelling areas. The only increase in recorded offences was within the urban areas of Leicestershire County. The recorded offence rate per 1,000 resident population shows the likelihood of being a victim of crime in the most rural areas of Leicestershire and Rutland to be virtually the same as in the urban areas of the county (excluding Leicester City). Three-quarters of the population of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland live in urban areas, concentrated in a relatively small geographical area. More than three-quarters of offences recorded by Leicestershire Constabulary occur within these urban areas of the city and county. The report highlights that even though the volume of recorded offences is much higher in urban areas there are some clear differences in the crime issues that affect the urban and rural areas of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Violence against the person is a growing problem across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, being a bigger problem in urban areas compared to rural areas. The larger percentage increases in reported violence against the person offences suggest it is a growing problem outside the city urban areas. Vehicle crime is a relatively bigger problem for rural areas, with theft from motor vehicles accounting for double the proportion of offences in hamlet and isolated dwellings compared to city and county urban areas. Vehicle crime had the largest percentage decrease of all offence types across all of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland during the three year period. Rural areas had the largest percentage decrease in theft from motor vehicle offences over the three year period. Damage offences are a bigger problem in both county and city urban areas and town and fringe areas compared to more rural areas. There has been a considerable decrease in the number of reported damage offences in city urban areas in the last three years. In comparison, there is an upward trend in the recording of damage offences outside the city urban areas. Burglary other than dwelling offences have decreased across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland during the last three years. Burglary other than dwelling is a relatively bigger problem for rural areas, though the largest percentage decreases are outside the city urban areas. Theft offences account for the highest proportion of offences within villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings. Rural businesses are less likely to have been a victim of crime in the last 12 months compared to businesses located in city or county urban areas. The perceived likelihood of being a victim of violence against the person or burglary is a lot higher than the actual risk. The perceived risk of burglary in county urban areas is thirty times higher than the actual risk. The disparity between the perceived likelihood of being a victim of violence is greater in urban and town and fringe areas compared to villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings. Details: Leicester, UK: Leicester County Council, 2005. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 21, 2012 at http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/your_council/council_services_contacts/about_leicestershire/statistics/rural_crime_report.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/your_council/council_services_contacts/about_leicestershire/statistics/rural_crime_report.pdf Shelf Number: 124225 Keywords: BurglaryCrime StatisticsRural CrimeUrban CrimeVictimizationViolent Crime |
Author: Doctors Without Borders - Medecins Sans Frontieres Title: Syria: Medicine as a Weapon of Persecution Summary: These 15 testimonies from injured people and doctors from across Syria were collected by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) staff between January 30 and February 6, 2012. MSF is not authorized to operate inside Syria at present and thus is unable to fully verify the information collected here. However, given the recurring nature, the consistency, and the severity of the acts described in the testimonies, MSF has decided to make them public. For security reasons, names and locations have been withheld. The testimonies reveal the following: Casualties such as multiple fractures, gunshot wounds, and electric shocks that strongly suggest a concerted program of violence and torture; The merciless persecution and repression of the injured and their caregivers; The pursuit of doctors at risk of arrest and torture for treating wounded civilians; The monitoring of hospitals by security forces, in order to arrest and torture the wounded; The resulting need for many to seek medical care provided illegally in makeshift facilities, including private homes; The lack of even basic medical supplies, including drugs, anesthetics, blood bags, and sutures in places where patients do receive care. Details: New York: Doctors Without Borders (MSF), 2012. 18p. Source: Press Dossier: Internet Resource: Accessed March 4, 2012 at http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/reports/2012/In-Syria-Medicine-as-a-Weapon-of-Persecution.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Syria URL: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/reports/2012/In-Syria-Medicine-as-a-Weapon-of-Persecution.pdf Shelf Number: 124378 Keywords: CorruptionMedical Care (Syria)TortureVictimization |
Author: Nobles, Matt R. Title: Understanding How Some Victims Become Perpetrators: Self-Control as Moderator Summary: Although much of the criminology literature conceptualizes the overlap in victims and offenders as originating with perpetration behaviors that result in increased risk of victimization, some evidence suggests that the reverse order also may be predictive. Socio-psychological literature, for example, offers alternative explanations demonstrating that perpetration in adolescence and adulthood may be driven by a lifetime history of traumatic victimization (e.g. child abuse or neglect, peer conflicts). Research on individual-level personality and experiential factors, including a history of certain types of victimization, is significantly associated with different forms of future perpetration, including adolescent weapon carrying, intimate partner physical abuse, child molestation, and adult sexual abuse. Smith and Ecob’s review of theoretical explanations of the victimization-perpetration link, highlight the roles environmental contextual factors and individual beliefs may play post-victimization. Sub-cultural explanations also may be valuable to address the phenomenon. For example, both personal value systems in gangs and learned aggression via victimization may offer clear pathways to future perpetration. In this case, there would be the intersection of the effects of individual traits, such as personality and self-control, and structural effects. Further, the interaction of individual and structural characteristics may provide additional predictive value to this relationship. Gottfredson and Hirschi posit in their general theory of crime that low levels of self-control are associated with criminal behavior throughout the life course, an idea that has generated wide empirical support. The theory also has been extended to account for different forms of victimization. Research from different areas of the psychology literature suggests that a history of certain types of victimization predicts later perpetration through various mechanisms. To date no research has explicitly tested low self-control as a moderating influence in the relationship between various forms of victimization and perpetration. The present study hypothesizes that low self-control affects the direction and strength of this relationship and that the relative influence of the moderation varies across crime types. Details: Huntsville, TX: Crime Victims' Institute, Criminal Justice Center, Sam Houston State University, 2012. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 9, 2012 at http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/8793%20Self%20Control%20Report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/8793%20Self%20Control%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 124401 Keywords: OffendersRe-OffendingSelf-ControlVictimization |
Author: Odera, Tonny Moses Title: Guidelines for Assisting Victims of Human Trafficking in the East Africa Region Summary: The human trafficking phenomenon affects virtually every country in the world. In East Africa, victims of human trafficking suffer physical and emotional abuse, rape, threats against themselves and their families and sometimes death. Although women and children have been identified as the main victims trafficked within and outside the region for mostly domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, young boys are increasingly being trafficked for purposes of forced labour in agriculture, fishing, mining and street begging. Although Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have in the last few years enacted relevant legislation against human trafficking, implementation of the law is still limited and fragmented. Additionally, the lack of institutionalized coordination efforts among partners in the region makes it difficult for partners to offer protective services to victims effectively. This handbook aims at providing partners in the region with a step by step procedure for assisting victims of trafficking. The guidelines were developed through a consultative process through a Regional Task Force comprising of government and civil society representatives from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. These guidelines also benefit from provisions of existing international standards and policy frameworks as well as counter trafficking legislation in the respective countries and can be used in other regions within Africa and beyond. Details: Geneva: International Organization for Migration (IOM), 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 9, 2012 at http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/GuidelinesforAssistingVictims_EN_A5.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Africa URL: http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/GuidelinesforAssistingVictims_EN_A5.pdf Shelf Number: 124404 Keywords: Human Trafficking (East Africa)VictimizationVictims Services (East Africa) |
Author: Markowitz, Sara Title: Estimating the Relationship Between Alcohol Policies and Criminal Violence and Victimization Summary: Violence is one of the leading social problems in the United States. The development of appropriate public policies to curtail violence is confounded by the relationship between alcohol and violence. In this paper, we estimate the propensity of alcohol control policies to reduce the perpetration and victimization of criminal violence. We measure violence with data on individual level victimizations from the U.S. National Crime Victimization Survey. We examine the effects of a number of different alcohol control policies in reducing violent crime. These policies include the retail price of beer, drunk driving laws and penalties, keg laws, and serving and selling laws. We find some evidence of a negative relationship between alcohol prices and the probability of alcohol or drug related assault victimizations. However, we find no strong evidence that other alcohol policies are effective in reducing violent crimes. These results provide policy makers with guidance on potential approaches for reducing violence through alcohol beverage control. Details: Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, 2012. 39p. Source: NBER Working Paper Series 17918: Internet Resource: Accessed March 24, 2012 at http://www.nber.org/papers/w17918.pdf?new_window=1 Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.nber.org/papers/w17918.pdf?new_window=1 Shelf Number: 124730 Keywords: Alcohol Law EnforcementVictimizationViolent Crime |
Author: Papachristos, Andrew V. Title: Social Networks and the Risk of Gunshot Injury Summary: Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between an individual’s position in a social network and the probability of being a victim of a fatal or non-fatal gunshot wound. Methods: This study combines detailed observational data from the police with records of fatal and non-fatal gunshot injuries among 763 individuals in Boston’s Cape Verdean community. After creating the social networks of these high-risk individuals, logistic regression is used to uncover the relationship between the odds of being a victim of a gunshot injury and various network characteristics. Results: The probability of gunshot victimization is directly related to one’s network distance to other gunshot victims - i.e., the closer someone is to a gunshot victim, the more likely that person is to also be a gunshot victim. This social distance to gunshot victims operates above and beyond other types of exposure to gun violence. Younger individuals, gang members, and individuals with a high density of gang members in their interpersonal networks are also at increased risk of being a gunshot victim. Conclusions: Risk of gunshot injuries in urban areas is more greatly concentrated than previously thought. While individual and neighborhood level risk factors contribute to the aggregate rates of violence, this study suggests that most of the actual risk of gun violence is concentrated in a small social network of identifiable individuals. Details: Cambridge, MA: Harvard University, 2011. 19p. Source: Working Paper Series: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2012 at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1772772 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1772772 Shelf Number: 125042 Keywords: GunsInjurySocial NetworksVictimization |
Author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Title: The Bully-Sexual Violence Pathway in Early Adolescence Summary: The focus of this ASAP is to highlight the early findings from a three-year study aimed to examine the overlap between bullying and sexual violence victimization and perpetration in five middle schools in a Midwest state. The first two waves of the study have shown that bullying perpetration and homophobic teasing were significant predictors of sexual harassment perpetration over time. While these findings are preliminary, they do suggest that homophobic teasing may be a component of bullying that may increase the potential for sexual harassment later. In other words, a bully perpetrator who also used homophobic teasing may later turn to sexual harassment. Details: Washington, DC: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012. 4p. Source: ASAP Brief: Internet Resource: Accessed June 13, 2012 at http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/ASAP_BullyingSV-a.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/ASAP_BullyingSV-a.pdf Shelf Number: 125348 Keywords: BullyingHomophobiaJuvenile OffendersSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceVictimization |
Author: Jani, Nairruti Title: Exploring Vulnerability and Consent to Trafficking Related Migration: A Study of South Asian Bar Dancers Summary: Lack of resources in South Asian countries compel many people to migrate to other countries, some legally, others illegally. In 2005, Over 100,000 bar dancers in Mumbai became unemployed overnight when the state government banned bar dancing under international pressure. Some of these bar dancers were forced to become prostitutes; some others migrated to other countries, including U.S., for work (Chadha, 2007). While dancing in U.S., these girls are kept under heavy security, they are not allowed to talk to the patrons, nor are they allowed to go out of their designated apartment on their own. They are sent from one city to another city, and are generally unaware of their next destination. Even though these girls have migrated with their own will, their prison like situation suggests that they can be defined as victims of human trafficking. Even though the girls actually consented, they are subject to debt-bondage, earn very little income and are denied basic liberties. This ‘consensual trafficking’ has not been studied by the academic community or by the policy makers. This research studies bar dancers in U.S. and explores the factors which create vulnerability in bar dancers to consent to trafficking related migration. The main research question is (1) What are the reasons that create vulnerability among certain groups of people who either get trafficked or smuggled? This research explores a pioneering field of research which is a recent phenomenon. This qualitative research is based on grounded theory involving in-depth data collection from the informants and the researcher. The data collection was based on auto-ethnographic principles, where the researcher observes and interacts with participants and creates a detailed field note that includes researchers own perceptions about participant interactions. Findings indicate that the vulnerability to trafficking within south Asia is characterized by poverty, gender bias, caste or religion by birth, lack of education and lack of awareness. Single women are more prone to trafficking as they do not have any support systems and are required to feed themselves and their children. Lack of employable skill makes it difficult for them to find employment in South Asian competitive markets. Another significant finding is that positive social networks and family support reduced the risk of trafficking among South Asian women from rural areas to urban areas in South Asia. However, lack of family support got translated in lack of community networks for some victims who then chose to use unknown migration networks. Traffickers employed migration agents at rural areas who deceived many of South Asia women and lured them as well as their families by creating false dream jobs in foreign destinations. Some women got trapped in debt trap of these agents who paid the migration cost for the victims and enslaved them after reaching the destination. This finding relates to theory of social support, social exchange and migration theory of network. Lack of employment, increasing age, debts and acculturation in Mumbai bars were the primary contributors to South Asian bar dancers’ vulnerability to international trafficking. Older women and Muslim women were more prone to be trafficked to gulf countries where as Hindu girls and younger girls were trafficked to western countries. After the ban on dance bars in Mumbai the vulnerability of former bar dancers increased significantly due to reduced employment opportunities. Details: Arlington, TX: The University of Texas at Arlington, 2009. 184p. Source: Dissertation: Internet Resource: Accessed September 5, 2012 at http://dspace.uta.edu/bitstream/handle/10106/2015/Jani_uta_2502D_10428.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2009 Country: Asia URL: http://dspace.uta.edu/bitstream/handle/10106/2015/Jani_uta_2502D_10428.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 126271 Keywords: Debt BondageEmploymentHuman TraffickingMigrationSocial NetworksUnemployment and CrimeVictimization |
Author: Pilnik, Lisa Title: Victimization and Trauma Experienced by Children and Youth: Implications for Legal Advocates Summary: The Safe Start Center, ABA Center on Children and the Law, and the Child and Family Policy Associates recently released a new resource, Victimization and Trauma Experienced by Children and Youth: Implications for Legal Advocates. In this resource, you'll find: Information about the prevalence and impact of victimization and exposure to violence; Practice tips for juvenile defenders, children's attorneys and GALs, judges, and CASAs; Explanations of traumatic stress symptoms and trauma-related assessments and treatments; Descriptions of promising local and state initiatives to address trauma; and, Guidance on policy reforms and other considerations for trauma-informed advocacy. Details: North Bethesda, MD: Safe Start Center, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 2012. Source: Moving From Evidence to Action: The Safe Start Center Series on Children Exposed to Violence, Issue Brief #7: Internet Resource: Accessed September 30, 2012 at Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 126509 Keywords: Child WelfareChild WitnessesChildren and ViolenceExposure to ViolenceJuvenile VictimsVictimizationViolence |
Author: Langton, Lynn Title: Firearms Stolen during Household Burglaries and Other Property Crimes, 2005-2012 Summary: Victimizations involving the theft of firearms declined from 283,600 in 1994 to 145,300 in 2010 (figure 1). Overall, about 1.4 million guns, or an annual average of 232,400, were stolen during burglaries and other property crimes in the six-year period from 2005 through 2010. Of these stolen firearms, at least 80% (186,800) had not been recovered at the time of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) interview. The data in this report were drawn from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) NCVS, which annually collects information on nonfatal victimizations reported and not reported to the police against persons age 12 or older from a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. The NCVS collects data on criminal incidents for which theft or attempted theft is either a component of the victimization (i.e., robbery, personal larceny, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and other property theft) or could occur in connection with the victimization (i.e., rape or sexual assault). This report examines the theft of firearms in criminal victimizations, focusing on the rate, number, amount of loss, and recovery of guns taken during burglaries and other property crimes, which include motor vehicle theft and other theft. It presents information on how firearms may end up in the hands of persons to whom they do not belong. Trend estimates are based on two-year rolling averages centered on the most recent year (figure 1). For example, estimates reported for 2010 represent the average estimates for 2009 and 2010. This method improves the reliability and stability of estimate comparisons over time. For all tables in this report, aggregate data for the time from 2005 through 2010 are the focus. Details: Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2012. 15p. Source: Crime Data Brief, NCJ 239436: Internet Resource: Accessed November 12, 2012 at http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/fshbopc0510.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/fshbopc0510.pdf Shelf Number: 126916 Keywords: Crime StatisticsFirearms and CrimeFirearms, Theft ofVictimization |
Author: Violence Policy Center Title: Black Homicide Victimization in the United States: An Analysis of 2009 Homicide Data Summary: America faces a continuing epidemic of homicide among young black males. The devastation homicide inflicts on black teens and adults is a national crisis, yet it is all too often ignored outside of affected communities. This study examines the problem of black homicide victimization at the state level by analyzing unpublished Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data for black homicide victimization submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The information used for this report is for the year 2009 and is the most recent data available. This is the first analysis of the 2009 data on black homicide victims to offer breakdowns of cases in the 10 states with the highest black homicide victimization rates and the first to rank the states by the rate of black homicides. It is important to note that the SHR data used in this report comes from law enforcement reporting at the local level. While there are coding guidelines followed by the law enforcement agencies, the amount of information submitted to the SHR system, and the interpretation that results in the information submitted (for example, gang involvement) will vary from agency to agency. While this study utilizes the best and most recent data available, it is limited by the quantity and degree of detail in the information submitted. Details: Washington, DC: Violence Policy Center, 2012. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 15, 2012 at http://www.vpc.org/studies/blackhomicide12.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.vpc.org/studies/blackhomicide12.pdf Shelf Number: 126932 Keywords: African AmericansCrime StatisticsCrime TrendsHomicideVictimization |
Author: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Title: EU-MIDIS Data in Focus Report 6: Minorities as Victims of Crime Summary: The average rate of criminal victimisation for all groups surveyed in EU-MIDIS was 24 %, in other words every fourth person from a minority group said that they had been a victim of crime at least once in the 12 months preceding the survey. More ‘visible’ minority groups – that is, those who look visibly different to the majority population – report, on average, higher levels of victimisation in EU-MIDIS than immigrant or minority groups who look similar to the majority population. These results, however, mask significant differences depending on the EU Member State in which generic respondent groups, such as ‘Roma’ or ‘Sub-Saharan African’, live. On average, 18 % of all Roma and 18 % of all Sub-Saharan African respondents in the survey indicated that in the 12 months prior to the survey they had experienced at least one ‘in-person crime’ – that is, assault or threat, or serious harassment – which they considered as being ‘racially motivated’ in some way. In comparison, less than 10 % of other groups indicated that they considered they had been a victim of ‘racially motivated’ in-person crime. The survey asked respondents a series of questions about their experiences of criminal victimisation in relation to the following five crime types: •theft of or from a vehicle; •burglary or attempted burglary; •theft of personal property not involving force or threat; •assault or threat; •serious harassment. Given that many crimes are relatively rare events, EU‑MIDIS asked respondents about their experiences of crime in the last five years; this report, however, explores findings from the survey with respect to people’s experiences in the 12 months preceding the survey interview. The analysis of results and recommendations are thus based on more up‑to‑date information. Follow‑up questions focused on how often interviewees had experienced assaults or threats and serious harassment in the last 12 months. These results showed whether certain groups were more prone to repeat victimisation. The survey questions also asked interviewees whether they considered their experiences of victimisation to be motivated in any way by their ethnic minority or immigrant background. Details: Vienna, Austria: FRA, 2012. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 10, 2012 at: http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2012-eu-midis-dif6_0.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2012-eu-midis-dif6_0.pdf Shelf Number: 127206 Keywords: Hate CrimesMinority GroupsRacial Discrimination (Europe)VictimizationVictims of Crimes |
Author: Harrell, Erika Title: Violent Victimization Committed by Strangers, 1993-2010 Summary: Presents findings on the rates and levels of violent victimization committed by offenders who were strangers to the victims, including homicide, rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. The report presents annual trends and compares changes across three 6-year periods in the incidence and type of violence committed by strangers from 1993 through 2010. It describes the characteristics of victims and circumstances of the violent crime. The nonfatal violent victimization estimates were developed from the Bureau of Justice Statistics' National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), which collects information on nonfatal crimes, reported and not reported to the police, against persons age 12 or older from a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. The homicide data are from the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR) for 1993 through 2008. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2012. 19p. Source: BJS Special Report: Internet Resource: Accessed January 13, 2013 at http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/vvcs9310.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/vvcs9310.pdf Shelf Number: 127266 Keywords: VictimizationVictimization SurveyViolent Crime, Strangers |
Author: O'Doherty, Tamara Title: Off-Street Commercial Sex: An Exploratory Study Summary: This thesis explores women’s experiences working in off-street prostitution venues in Vancouver, BC. The victimization experienced by street-based sex workers has led many people to conclude that prostitution is inherently dangerous. However, street-based workers form the minority of sex workers in Canada. The question remains, can their experiences be generalized to other types of prostitution? Consequently, this thesis examines whether female off-street sex workers face the same degree of victimization as female street-based sex workers, and asks if the experience of prostitution always entails violence. The research contained two components: a) a victimization survey examining interpersonal violence and other forms of victimization of off-street sex workers (n=39); and b) in-depth interviews with ten off-street sex workers exploring their working conditions, safety, stereotypes of prostitution, and law reform (n=10). While violence and exploitation do occur in the off-street industry, this study indicates that some women sell sex without experiencing any violence. Details: Burnaby, BC: Simon Fraser University, School of Criminology, 2007. 135p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed May 1, 2013 at: Year: 2007 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 128584 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Canada )Sex WorkersVictimization |
Author: Idaho Statistical Analysis Center Title: American Indian Crime in Idaho: Victims, Offenders, and Arrestees Summary: American Indians have the highest victimization rates of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States (Perry, 2004). Despite the unusual disparity in the vulnerability to violent victimization, the pervasiveness of American Indian crime is rarely reported or acknowledged. The focus of this report is on the prevalence, nature, and consequences of crime in Idaho involving American Indians as victims and offenders. A variety of resources were used to conduct this research. Information for crimes reported to the police comes from Idaho’s incident-based data for the years 2005-2011, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports for 2010, and crime data reported by tribal police for the years 2004-2009. Data also comes from a 2008 victimization survey conducted in Idaho. The findings reveal the existing disparity of the victimization and criminal activity of American Indians compared to all racial groups. Details: Meridian, ID: Idaho Statistical Analysis Center, Planning, Grants, & Research, Idaho State Police, 2013. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2013 at: http://www.isp.idaho.gov/pgr/inc/documents/AmericanIndianCrimeinIdahofinal.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.isp.idaho.gov/pgr/inc/documents/AmericanIndianCrimeinIdahofinal.pdf Shelf Number: 129406 Keywords: Crime Rates (Idaho, U.S.)Criminal StatisticsIndians of North AmericaMinority GroupsVictimization |
Author: Vilalta, Carlos Title: Determinant Factors in the Perception of Crime-Related Insecurity in Mexico Summary: What determines the feeling of insecurity with respect to crime and what can be done about it? This study proposes and tests a correlational model that combines different theoretical determinants of insecurity and the fear of crime. The test was carried out both in the country as a whole and in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. The sources of information are the National Victimization Survey and Perception on Public Security (ENVIPE) of 2011 and the Victimization Survey and Institutional Effectiveness (ENVEI) of August 2010 and January 2011. The findings suggest that actions to promote civility in neighborhoods and towns and efforts to develop a relationship of trust with the local police should be implemented in order to significantly reduce the feeling of insecurity. Details: New York: Inter-American development Bank, Institutional Capacity of State Division, 2013. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: IDB Working Paper Series No. IDB-WP-381: Accessed November 1, 2013 at: http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=37663745 Year: 2013 Country: Mexico URL: http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=37663745 Shelf Number: 131580 Keywords: Fear of Crime (Mexico) Public SafetyVictimizationViolent Crime |
Author: Pettitt, Bridget Title: At Risk, Yet Dismissed: The criminal victimisation of people with mental health problems Summary: Background Public perception is that people with mental health problems are offenders, and historically, policy, research and clinical practice has focused on the risk they pose to others. However, in recent years a body of work has explored the victimisation of people with mental health problems and the impact it has on them. This study was designed to understand experiences of victimisation and engagement with the criminal justice system among people with mental health problems. The main questions the study sought to answer were: - What proportion of people with severe mental illness had been a victim of violent or non-violent crime in the past year, and how does that compare to the general population? - What are the barriers and facilitators for people with mental health problems, who have been victims of crime, in reporting crime, progressing through the criminal justice process, and accessing support? The study was conducted in two main parts, a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews and focus groups. The survey used a modified version of the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) with a random sample of 361 people with severe mental illness (SMI) using community mental health services in London. The findings from this sample were compared with those from the general population who took part in the CSEW survey over the same time period in London. We also gained information from clinical notes, and professionals involved in the participants' care.(See appendix 1 for details). For the qualitative research we interviewed 81 individuals who had mental health problems and had been victims of crime in the last three years. The profile of these interviewees was slightly different, with a broader range of mental health problems, and a third were not using community mental health services. The interviews explored their experience of crime, its impact and their engagement with the criminal justice system. We also conducted focus groups and individual interviews with 30 relevant professionals from a range of different backgrounds including police officers and mental health care coordinators. Experience of crime The findings of the survey showed that people with mental health problems experienced high rates of crime, and were considerably more likely to be victims of crime than the general population. - Forty-five percent of people with severe mental illness (SMI) were victims of crime in the past year. - One in five people had experienced a violent assault; a third were victims of personal crime and a quarter were victims of a household crime. - People with SMI were five times more likely to be a victim of assault, and three times more likely to be a victim of household crime, than people in the general population, after taking into account sociodemographic differences. Women were 10 times more likely to be assaulted. - They reported very high rates of sexual and domestic violence, with 40% of women reporting being a victim of rape or attempted rape in adulthood, and 10% being a victim of sexual assault in the past year. - Victims with SMI were up to four times more likely to be victimised by their relatives or acquaintances than those from the general population. - Nine percent of the victims described crimes in psychiatric inpatient settings. Impact of crime It took two months to recover from [being assaulted] because I was having nightmares and stuff and I was finding it hard to sleep as well. Int21, male, assault] Compared to victims who did not have mental health problems, victims with SMI were more likely to suffer social, psychological and physical adverse effects as a result of the crime, and were more likely to perceive the crime as serious. The impact of domestic or sexual violence was particularly serious with 40% of women and a quarter of men who experienced this having attempted suicide as a result. In the qualitative interviews, participants explained how being a victim of crime affected many aspects of their lives including: their financial and material situation; personal relationships and behaviour; physical health; housing situation; emotional well-being; and mental health. The most common negative effect of crime was on their emotional well-being. Many described their mental health deteriorating as a result, with some individuals going into crisis and being admitted into hospital. Risk factors One of the aims of this study was to find out who, among people with SMI, was most at risk. We found there were three key risk factors: less engagement with services, drug misuse and a history of being violent. Compared to those with good service engagement, people with medium and poor engagement had a five-fold and seven-fold higher risk of victimisation respectively. Drug misuse and violence perpetration were associated with a two to three-fold higher victimisation risk which is similar to those reported in the general population in other published studies. The perceived association between mental health and victimisation In the qualitative interviews, many participants felt that having a mental health problem was a factor in their victimisation. They gave examples of perpetrators picking up on visible signs of vulnerability and distress, and known perpetrators preying on them when they were unwell and less able to protect themselves. Some felt perpetrators targeted them because they understood that people with mental health problems are more easily discredited and commonly disbelieved when they report. A few said they felt perpetrators were motivated by hatred and hostility towards their mental health status. The nine participants victimised in psychiatric inpatient wards described the environment as unsafe and a place where they felt both under threat from staff and other patients as well as less able to access other sources of help. The survey supported this sense of people being targeted for their identity, where 37% felt the incident was motivated by their identity and 25% felt this was specifically because of their mental health status. Details: London: Victim Support and Mind, 2013. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 6, 2013 at: http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/~/media/Files/Publications/ResearchReports/1390_MHJR_final_lores.ashx Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/~/media/Files/Publications/ResearchReports/1390_MHJR_final_lores.ashx Shelf Number: 131596 Keywords: Mentally Ill (U.K.)VictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Parren, Franny Title: Combatting Youth Sexual Aggression and Victimization in the European Union: Stakeholder Perspectives and Recommendations Summary: Youth sexual aggression and victimization (Y-SAV) is a problem all over Europe. In most countries where data on sexual violence is disaggregated by age, prevalence figures for sexual aggression and victimization in the age group 12-25 years old are higher compared to average fi gures for the overall population. Understanding and preventing youth sexual aggression and victimization is important not only to tackle the existing high prevalence, but also to invest in sexual health and equal relationships for future generations. Sexual aggression is characterised by many grey areas and there are a range of sexual pressures and unwanted sex that do not necessarily fit within the legal frame of sexual violence, but nonetheless require societal action. Particularly in the current context of over-exposure to media images and virtualised socio-sexual interaction, young people need adequate support to develop positive attitudes towards sexuality and gender roles, and to strengthen their sexual interaction competence. This report forms part of the European Y-SAV project (implemented in the period July 2010 - December 2013). Consultations have been conducted in nine EU member states (Ireland, Spain, Lithuania, Greece, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands) and a total of 73 organisations and 20 individual experts participated. The participants identified the main shortfalls and opportunities to address youth sexual aggression and victimization within a variety of areas and provided recommendations to improve responses towards youth sexual aggression and victimization at the EU level and at the level of individual member states. Details: Utrecht, The Netherlands: Rutgers WPF, 2013. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 23, 2013 at: http://ysav.rutgerswpf.org/sites/default/files/ESAP_2013_Online2.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://ysav.rutgerswpf.org/sites/default/files/ESAP_2013_Online2.pdf Shelf Number: 131662 Keywords: Juvenile OffendersJuvenile Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assault (Europe) Sexual ViolenceVictimization |
Author: Corbacho, Ana Title: Crime and Erosion of Trust: Evidence for Latin America Summary: Crime has tangible economic costs. It also has less understood and likely sizable intangible costs. In particular, widespread crime has the potential to weaken trust between citizens and institutions, undermine government reform efforts, and become an obstacle to development. Yet, the impact of crime on trust remains relatively unexplored in the literature. This paper analyzes the potential interrelationship between individual victimization and several measures of trust, including trust in formal public institutions and trust in informal private networks. It is based on a representative sample of individuals in 19 countries in Latin America. The empirical strategy is intended to mitigate overt biases and assess sensitivity to hidden biases. The results show that victimization has a substantial negative effect on trust in the local police but no robust effect on informal institutions. Governments may henceforth need to redouble efforts to reduce victimization and the resulting erosion of trust in public institutions. Details: Washington, DC: Inter-American Development Bank, 2012. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: IDB working paper series; 344)Accessed March 12, 2014 at: http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=37071808 Year: 2012 Country: Latin America URL: http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=37071808 Shelf Number: 131866 Keywords: Police LegitimacySocioeconomic Conditions and CrimeTrustVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Reisman, Lainie Title: Assessment of Crime and Violence in Mozambique and Recommendations for Violence Prevention and Reduction Summary: This report is an assessment of crime and violence in Mozambique undertaken between August 2011 and March 2012. The objective of the assessment was to provide a broad overview of the crime and violence situation in Mozambique and help inform future programming decisions there for OSISA and the OSF CVPI. It was written on the basis of key stakeholder interviews and analysis of existing data. Given the complexity of issues surrounding crime and violence, the report attempts to highlight major initiatives in a variety of sectors and is meant to inform debate and programme design. Section 1 of the assessment introduces the report and presents the methodology. Section 2 focuses on the Background and Context of crime and violence in Mozambique. After a brief history, the emphasis is on crime and violence data and analysis. As the report argues, reliable data is hard to obtain, but recent victimization surveys indicate that Mozambique is significant in that rates of victimization are particularly high, while rates of reporting crime to the police are particularly low. This phenomena is likely linked to issues around a lack of trust in the police services and perceived corruption. Armed robberies are the major reported crime concern for most Mozambicans, although levels of domestic violence and child abuse are also estimated to be extremely high. Maputo City, Maputo Province, and Sofala are the provinces with the highest levels of reported crime. Following the analysis on crime and violence data, the section ends with a summary of the Mozambican legal and policy framework, which is considered to be well developed although clearly lacking in full implementation. Section 3 analyses the major drivers of crime and violence in Mozambique and includes a detailed analysis on inequality, urbanization, corruption, organized crime, centralization, lack of opportunities for youth, victimization of women and children, high numbers of street dwellers, culture of violence, weak criminal justice system, prevalence of HIV/AIDS, rise in vigilantism, damaging customary practices and local beliefs, and trafficking along the coastlines and land corridors. While none of these factors in isolation cause crime and violence, all contribute to the challenges faced by Mozambique. Section 4 of the assessment report highlights the key actors in crime and violence prevention. Government agencies (including MDI, MDN, PRM, MINJUS, MINED, MISAU, MMAS), key donors, non-governmental organizations, and research and academia organizations are included and their relevant initiatives and interventions presented. For ease of analysis, the NGO sector is broken down into four areas, namely 1) women victimization organizations, 2) children victimization organizations, 3) governance, human rights, and community development organizations, and 4) peace, security, and conflict prevention organizations. The assessment notes the particular emphasis placed on women and children victimization by almost all of the key actors, although also notes an absence of support for unemployed and out-of-school youth. Section 5 of the assessment highlights promising prevention initiatives in Mozambique undertaken by key stakeholders. Innovative programs range from local level interventions to national government programmes. Section 6 analyses some of the key challenges to crime and violence prevention in Mozambique including: 1) Lack of opportunities for youth, 2) Marginalized role of local government, 3) Lack of engagement of the private sector, 4) Limited research and knowledge sharing on crime and violence prevention, 5) Absence of debate on security sector reform, 6) Parenting and early childhood development not prioritized, 7) Religious sector not fully engaged, 8) Poor support for displaced people, and 9) Disconnect between national policies and programs and local realities. The final Section 7 of the report makes a series of recommendations for Open Society, largely directed towards a community based focus, the importance of knowledge generation, building off of Brazilian expertise, providing opportunities for marginalized youth, and engaging new sectors in the crime and violence prevention debate. The assessment report is also accompanied by a community case study, which analyses crime and violence issues in two communities, Magoanine C and Feroviario das Mahotas. The case study, which was conducted by FOMICRES, provides an important point of reflection and highlights the juxtaposition between the national level policy and programs and the realities on the ground in marginalized communities. Details: Washington, DC: Open Society Foundations Crime and Violence Prevention Initiative; Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, 2012. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 13, 2014 at: http://www.osisa.org/sites/default/files/cvpi_mozambique_report_-_final_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Mozambique URL: http://www.osisa.org/sites/default/files/cvpi_mozambique_report_-_final_english.pdf Shelf Number: 131892 Keywords: CorruptionCrime PreventionCrime StatisticsOrganized CrimeRobberyVictimizationViolenceViolent Crime |
Author: Freeman, Karen Title: Understanding the relationship between crime victimisation and mental health: a longitudinal analysis of population data Summary: Aim: To determine whether a change in crime victimisation status (from non-victim to victim) affects mental health. Method: Fixed effects models were used to examine the effect of physical violence and property crime victimisation in the past year on future mental health. The sample pooled 110,671 records from 16,187 persons aged 15 years or older who participated in at least two waves of the Australian Household, Income and Labour Dynamics (HILDA) survey between 2002 and 2011. The analysis controlled for all time-stable factors as well as a wide range of dynamic variables known to be associated with mental health (i.e., partner status, area of residence, labour force status, financial prosperity, ability to raise funds in an emergency, alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical activity, general health, social networks and number of life events). Results: The analysis revealed that becoming a victim of violent crime results in a decrease in mental health. Females had a more pronounced decline in mental health after becoming a victim of violence compared with males. By contrast, there was no evidence that becoming a victim of property crime has a detectable impact on mental health for either females or males. Conclusion: Being a victim of violent crime has an adverse effect on mental health. This effect is apparent for both male and female victims, however there is a greater effect of violent crime on women's mental health. Details: Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2014. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice, no. 177: Accessed June 18, 2014 at: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/_assets/bocsar/m716854l2/cjb177.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/_assets/bocsar/m716854l2/cjb177.pdf Shelf Number: 132498 Keywords: GenderLongitudinal StudyMental HealthProperty CrimeVictimizationVictims of CrimesViolent Crime |
Author: Williams, Matthew Title: All Wales Hate Crime Research Project Summary: This research study forms part of the All Wales Hate Crime Project, which was funded by Big Lottery (2010 - 2013) and led by Race Equality First in partnership with Cardiff University. The primary aim of the research was to generate robust data on both the nature of hate crime and hate-related incidents in Wales and the impact of that victimisation on individuals, their families and local communities. The study focuses on the 5 protected characteristics for hate crime recognised by the Home Office: - Disability; - Race & Ethnicity; - Religion & Belief; - Sexual Orientation, and - Transgender Status/ Gender Identity. However, the Project also recognises the existence of hate crime victimisation on the basis of age and gender and both of these identity characteristics are included and examined in the study1. The wide-ranging scope of the research ensures it has generated the most comprehensive dataset on hate crime victimisation in the UK at the date of publication. Details: Cardiff, Wales: Race Equality First and Cardiff University, 2013. 225p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 10, 2014 at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/research/publications/Time%20for%20Justice-All%20Wales%20Hate%20Crime%20Project.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/research/publications/Time%20for%20Justice-All%20Wales%20Hate%20Crime%20Project.pdf Shelf Number: 133271 Keywords: Bias-Related CrimeHate Crimes (Wales, U.K.)Victimization |
Author: Owens, Colleen Title: Understanding the Organization, Operation, and Victimization Process of Labor Trafficking in the United States Summary: This study examines the organization, operation, and victimization process of labor trafficking across multiple industries in the United States. It examines labor trafficking victim abuse and exploitation along a continuum, from victims' recruitment for work in the United States; through their migration experiences (if any), employment victimization experiences, and efforts to seek help; to their ultimate escape and receipt of services. Data for this study came from a sample of 122 closed labor trafficking victim service records from service providers in four US cities. In addition, interviews were conducted with labor trafficking survivors, local and federal law enforcement officials, legal advocates, and service providers in each site to better understand the labor trafficking victimization experience, the networks involved in labor trafficking and the escape and removal process, and the barriers to investigation and prosecution of labor trafficking cases. All the victims in this study sample were immigrants working in the United States. The vast majority of our sample (71 percent) entered the United States on a temporary visa. The most common temporary visas were H-2A visas for work in agriculture and H-2B visas for jobs in hospitality, construction, and restaurants. Our study also identified female domestic servitude victims who had arrived in the United States on diplomatic, business, or tourist visas. Individuals who entered the United States without authorization were most commonly trafficked in agriculture and domestic work. Labor trafficking victims' cases were coded to collect information on their labor trafficking experience, as well as any forms of civil labor violations victims encountered. All victims in our sample experienced elements of force, fraud and coercion necessary to substantiate labor trafficking. Elements of force, fraud and coercion included document fraud; withholding documents; extortion; sexual abuse and rape; discrimination; psychological manipulation and coercion; torture; attempted murder; and violence and threats against themselves and their family members. In addition to criminal forms of abuse, we also found that labor trafficking victims faced high rates of civil labor exploitation. These forms of civil labor exploitation included, but were not limited to, being paid less than minimum wage; being paid less than promised; wage theft; and illegal deductions. While legal under some visa programs and labor law, employers/traffickers also controlled the housing, food, and transportation of a significant proportion of our sample. Immigration status was a powerful mechanism of control - with employers threatening both workers with visas and unauthorized workers with arrest as a means of keeping them in forced labor. Despite 71 percent of our sample arriving in the United States for work on a visa, by the time victims escaped and were connected to service providers, 69 percent were unauthorized. By and large, labor trafficking investigations were not prioritized by local or federal law enforcement agencies. This lack of prioritization was consistent across all study sites and across all industries in which labor trafficking occurred. The US Department of Labor was rarely involved. Survivors mostly escaped on their own and lived for several months or years before being connected to a specialized service provider. A lack of awareness and outreach, coupled with the victims' fear of being unauthorized, inhibited the identification of survivors. Policy and practice recommendations are provided to improve identification and response to labor trafficking and guide future research on labor trafficking victimization. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2014. 307p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 22, 2014 at: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/413249-Labor-Trafficking-in-the-United-States.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/413249-Labor-Trafficking-in-the-United-States.pdf Shelf Number: 133798 Keywords: Forced Labor (U.S.)Human TraffickingImmigrant LaborImmigrantsLabor TraffickingVictimization |
Author: Nunziata, Luca Title: Immigration and Crime: New Empirical Evidence from European Victimization Data Summary: We exploit the increase in immigration flows into western European countries that took place in the 2000s to assess whether immigration affects crime victimization and the perception of criminality among European natives. Using data from the European Social Survey, the Labour Force Survey and other sources, we provide a set of fixed effects and instrumental variable estimations that deal with the endogenous sorting of immigration by region and with the sampling error in survey based measures of regional immigration shares, whose implications in terms of attenuation bias are investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Our empirical findings show that an increase in immigration does not affect crime victimization, but it is associated with an increase in the fear of crime, the latter being consistently and positively correlated with the natives' unfavourable attitude toward immigrants. Our results reveal a misconception of the link between immigration and crime among European natives. Details: Bonn, Germany: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), 2014. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: IZA DP No. 8632: Accessed January 31, 2015 at: http://ftp.iza.org/dp8632.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Europe URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp8632.pdf Shelf Number: 134512 Keywords: Fear of CrimeImmigrants and CrimeImmigration (Europe)VictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Salm, Martin Title: Individual Perceptions of Local Crime Risk Summary: We provide evidence that perceptions of crime risk are severely biased for many years after a move to a new neighborhood. Based on four successive waves of a large crime survey, matched with administrative records on household relocations, we find that the longer an individual lives in a neighborhood, the higher their perception of the crime rate in the neighborhood. This finding holds irrespective of whether the move is from a relatively low-crime to a relatively high-crime area or vice versa. We find that avoidance behavior adjusts in line with the observed changes in beliefs. Details: Bonn: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), 2014. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: IZA DP No. 8677: Accessed February 4, 2015 at: http://ftp.iza.org/dp8677.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Netherlands URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp8677.pdf Shelf Number: 134542 Keywords: Crime Risk (Netherlands) Neighborhoods and Crime Victimization |
Author: Langley, Marty Title: Hispanic Victims of Lethal Firearms Violence in the United States Summary: Key Findings - The homicide victimization rate for Hispanics in the United States is more than twice as high as the homicide victimization rate for whites. The Hispanic homicide victimization rate in 2010 was 5.73 per 100,000. In comparison, the homicide victimization rate for whites was 2.52 per 100,000. - Homicide is the second leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 15 to 24 - More than 38,000 Hispanics were killed by guns between 1999 and 2010. During this period, 26,349 Hispanics died in gun homicides, 10,314 died in gun suicides, and 747 died in unintentional shootings - Most Hispanic murder victims are killed with guns. Guns are used in more than two-thirds of the homicides where the victims are Hispanic. The latest data shows that for homicides where the victim was Hispanic and a gun was used, 78 percent of these shootings involved a handgun - Hispanic victims are more likely to be killed by a stranger than the national average. The latest data from 2011 shows that when the victim-to-offender relationship could be identified, 39 percent of Hispanic victims were killed by a stranger. Nationwide, 25 percent of all homicide victims were killed by strangers . - A large percentage of Hispanic homicide victims are young. The most recent available data shows 41 percent of Hispanic homicide victims in 2011 were age 24 and younger. In comparison, 40 percent of black homicide victims and 22 percent of white homicide victims were age 24 and younger. - As a result of the limitations in current data collection, the total number of Hispanic victims is almost certainly higher than the reported numbers suggest. Government agencies often report data on race but not on ethnic origin. Recognizing the changing demographic landscape in the United States, it is clear that fully documenting such victimization is a crucial first step toward preventing it. Details: Washington, DC: Violence Policy Center, 2014. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 30, 2015 at: http://www.vpc.org/studies/hispanic.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.vpc.org/studies/hispanic.pdf Shelf Number: 135435 Keywords: Gun-Related ViolenceHispanic AmericansHomicides (U.S.)Victimization Violent Crime |
Author: Fuller, Georgina Title: The serious impact and consequences of physical assault Summary: In 2012, there were 116,105 recorded victims of physical assault in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory combined (ABS 2013); equating to a victimisation rate of 969 per 100,000 population. This reflects a trend that has been consistent for the last 18 years of police recorded crime statistics, where physical assault has had the highest rate of victimisation of any of the four major types of violent crime (ie homicide, physical assault, sexual assault and robbery; AIC 2014). Estimates provided by the ABS' Crime Victimisation Survey provide further insight into the nature of physical assault in Australia. In 2012-13, there was an estimated 498,000 people over the age of 15 years who were the victim of a physical assault. An estimated 60 percent (n=294,100) of these were male, while individuals aged less than 34 years were more likely to have been assaulted compared with any other age group (ABS 2014). Females were more likely to be victimised in the home by a family member, whereas males were more commonly assaulted by a stranger in place of recreation (ie pubs or nightclubs) or on the street (ABS 2014). Yet despite these statistics, the narrow focus of academia and policy on particular types of violence has resulted in the impact of some forms of physical assault being somewhat overlooked. For example, the negative consequences of experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault have been extensively studied. Briefly, the experience of domestic or intimate partner violence has been associated with the development of a wide range of negative outcomes including mental health issues, feelings of shame or guilt and difficulties relating to men (see Ansara & Hindin 2011; Coker et al. 2002; Roberts et al 1998). Similar negative consequences have been found for sexual abuse, as well as other effects such as difficulties in interpersonal relationships, particularly around sexual functioning (see Cashmore & Shackel 2013; Colman & Widom 2004; Watson & Halford 2010). This type of information is particularly relevant, as it has been used to inform the types of services available to support victims of these types of violence. Yet victims of non-domestic, non-sexual physical assault have not received the same level of attention. In order to address this knowledge gap, the consequences of physical assault victimisation in isolation from other types of violent crime are explored in this paper. The purpose is to discover the impact of physical assault on both the victim and their family. This includes the effect of this type of violence on the victim's physical and psychological health, as well as their social, educational and occupational functioning Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2015. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, no. 496: Accessed August 13, 2015 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi496.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi496.pdf Shelf Number: 136386 Keywords: AssaultsCrime StatisticsVictimizationVictims of CrimeViolence |
Author: Porteous, David Title: The Development of Specialist Support Services for Young People who have Offended and who have also been Victims of Crime, Abuse and/or Violence: Final Report Summary: Introduction 1. This report was commissioned to inform the development of support services for young people who have offended and who have prior experience of victimisation, including but not limited to mental, physical and sexual abuse. In 2014, the London Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime secured $400,000 from the Ministry of Justice Victim's Fund to invest in these services which will be delivered through two London Resettlement Consortia (LRC) areas, each comprising six Youth Offending Services (YOSs), one in North East London, the other in South London. 2. The research involved an online survey and follow up interviews with a sub-sample of YOS professionals, a review of existing research and knowledge on the matter and interviews with seven key informants with specialist knowledge of the issues addressed. Background 3. Existing evidence from academic and applied policy research shows that children and young people are more likely to be victims than offenders and more likely to be victimised than adults, albeit that these comparisons are not straightforward. Furthermore, children and young people known to have offended are more likely to have been a victim of crime, violence and or abuse than young people with no recorded offending history. Many will have emotional and mental health needs and vulnerabilities linked to such traumatic events and when these occur alongside or in the context of other forms of disadvantage and victimisation, young people are particularly vulnerable and find it more difficult to recover from the experience. 4. Children and young people in the youth justice system also have significantly greater speech, language and learning difficulties relative to the general population, are disproportionately likely to have a diagnosed learning disability and to have had a seriously disrupted education. Neurobiological research suggests that traumatic events in early childhood can have a detrimental impact on a range of cognitive and verbal communication skills and may find it difficult to engage productively with treatments that require a certain level of abstract reasoning such as cognitive behavioural therapy. 5. The prevalence and nature of mental health problems relating to crime, violence and abuse varies by ethnicity and gender. Young black males are over-represented in the criminal justice system and in terms of referrals to mental health services made via the CJS. Young women involved in group-related offending are significantly more likely to be victims of sexual assault. 6. There has been growing awareness and recognition of these issues at a policy level in recent times as indicated by the commissioning of the services to be developed in the LRC areas. At the same time, there is concern at a national level about the real term cuts in funding for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the implications for mainstream service provision. Details: London: Middlesex University, 2015. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 10, 2016 at: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Final%20Report_May18th2015_0.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Final%20Report_May18th2015_0.pdf Shelf Number: 137823 Keywords: Children and ViolenceChildren, Crimes AgainstJuvenile OffendersVictim ServicesVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Great Britain. Office for National Statistics Title: Crime Statistics: Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences, year ending march 2015 Summary: This release is a collaboration between ONS and Home Office analysts. It explores a variety of official statistics on violent crime and is based on interviews carried out on the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) in the year to March 2014 and crimes recorded by the police period over the same period. Trend analysis from both sources is included. This release is split into five chapters, each covering a different aspect of violent crime. The first chapter provides an overview of violent crime, summarising the extent and range of violent crime together with an analysis of long term trends. It also explores information such as the characteristics of the victim and the offender, as well as where and when incidents took place. The second chapter presents analyses of data gathered from the Home Office Homicide Index which includes murder, manslaughter and infanticide. The chapter discusses trends in homicide and puts the latest figures in the context of international comparisons. It also provides details on the characteristics of victims and suspects. The third chapter presents findings on the use of weapons in selected offences recorded by the police including firearms, knives and sharp instruments. It includes information on how they are used, and the injuries caused, as well as describing the geographical distribution of these offences. The fourth chapter uses data from a self-completion section on the 2013/14 CSEW which asks about experience of sexual and domestic violence. It describes offences occurring in the 12 months before the interview as well as those taking place since age 16. The chapter explores aspects of serious sexual assault and attitudes to sexual violence. The final chapter presents findings from the 2013/14 CSEW on violent incidents where alcohol has been a factor. Additional analysis on the nature of alcohol-related violence is also provided from the combined datasets of the 2012/13 and 2013/14 CSEW. This chapter also presents some information on alcohol-related violent crime recorded by the police. Key points - The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) continues to show steady declines in violent crime over the last 20 years. Between the 1995 and the 2013/14 surveys, the number of violent crime incidents has fallen from 3.8 million in 1995 to 1.3 million in 2013/14. - Violent crime victimisation rates have fallen by more than half since peak levels of crime in the mid-1990s. In 1995 4.8% of adults aged 16 and over were a victim of violent crime in the previous year, compared with 1.8% in the 2013/14 survey. - Homicide has also shown a general downward trend since 2002/03. The number of currently recorded homicides for 2013/14 (526) and 2011/12 (528) were the lowest since 1989 (521). The number of homicides in 2013/14 was equivalent to 9.2 offences per million population. - As in previous years, children under one year old had the highest rate of homicide (23.9 offences per million population) compared with other age groups. With the exception of those aged under one year, adults generally had higher incidence rates of being a victim of homicide than children. - The numbers of sexual offences (64,205) in 2013/14 was the highest recorded by the police since 2002/03. As well as improvements in recording, this is thought to reflect a greater willingness of victims to come forward to report such crimes. The CSEW has not seen a rise in the prevalence of sexual assault. The latest estimates show a small fall in sexual assault victimisation rates compared with the previous year. - In 2013/14, there were 7,709 offences in which firearms were involved, a 5% decrease compared with 2012/13. Offences involving knives or sharp instruments fell by 2% between 2012/13 and 2013/14 (to 25,972). These falls follow a sustained downward trend over a number of years. - The profile of victims of violent crime and sexual violence varied according to the type of offence. The CSEW showed that young men were most likely to be the victims of violence, while in contrast young women were more likely to have experienced sexual assault (including attempts). - Women were also more likely to be a victim of domestic abuse, with 8.5% of women and 4.5% of men having experienced domestic abuse in the last year, equivalent to an estimated 1.4 million female victims and 700,000 male victims. - In 2013/14, as in previous years, around two-thirds of homicide victims (65%) were male. In contrast, victims killed by a partner or ex-partner were more likely to be women. - Victims perceived the offender(s) to be under the influence of alcohol in 53% of violent incidents. This is equivalent to an estimated 704,000 'alcohol-related' violent incidents. While the volume of violent incidents that were 'alcohol-related' has fallen over time the proportion has remained relatively steady over the last ten years. Alcohol was a particularly prevalent factor in violent incidents between strangers, 64% of which were perceived to be alcohol-related. Details: London: Office of National Statistics, 2016. various pagings Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2016 at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index.html?nscl=Crime+and+Justice#tab-sum-pub Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index.html?nscl=Crime+and+Justice#tab-sum-pub Shelf Number: 137883 Keywords: Alcohol-Related CrimeCrime StatisticsCrime SurveysDomestic ViolenceFirearmsGun-Related ViolenceHomicidesSexual AssaultSexual OffensesSexual ViolenceVictimizationViolent CrimeWeapons |
Author: European Commission. Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs Title: Study on the gender dimension of trafficking in human beings: final report Summary: The purpose of this study is to contribute to the identification and understanding of what it means to be 'taking into account the gender perspective, to strengthen the prevention of this crime and protection of the victims thereof', as required in Article 1 of European Union (EU Directive 2011/36/EU on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting its Victims in the context of the EU Strategy (COM(2012) 286 final) Towards the eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings. The study contributes to Priority E Action 2 of the Strategy, which states that "the Commission will develop knowledge on the gender dimensions of human trafficking, including the gender consequences of the various forms of trafficking and potential differences in the vulnerability of men and women to victimisation and its impact on them". Its specific objectives and tasks are to address: the "gender dimension of vulnerability, recruitment, and victimisation"; "gender issues related to traffickers and to those creating demand"; and "an examination of law and policy responses on trafficking in human beings from a gender perspective". This study, according to its terms of reference, aims to look specifically at the gender dimension of trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. This follows evidence from statistical data from Eurostat, as well as data from The European Police Office (Europol) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), according to which the most reported form of exploitation of victims is that of sexual exploitation and its strong gender dimension (96 % women and girls). It further addresses recommendations addressed in the Resolution of the European Parliament of 26 February 2014 on sexual exploitation and prostitution and its impact on gender equality (2013/2103(INI)) urging the European Commission to evaluate the impact that the European legal framework designed to eliminate trafficking for sexual exploitation has had to date and to undertake further research on patterns of prostitution, on human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and on the increased level of sex tourism in the EU, with particular reference to minors, and to promote the exchange of best practices among the Member States. The study is situated within the law and policy environment in the EU on anti-trafficking in human beings and on gender equality. This includes analysis of the gender dimension of each of the fields that are identified as priorities in the EU Strategy (COM(2012) 286 final) towards the eradication of trafficking in human beings (victim assistance, law enforcement, prevention by demand reduction, coherence and coordination, and knowledge and emerging concerns). The study uses reviews of relevant literature, in-depth case studies and high-level analysis in order to reach conclusions with regard to the gender dimensions of trafficking in human beings and make recommendations concerning law and policy implementation and improvement. Details: Brussels: European Parliament, 2016. 240p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 1, 2016 at: https://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/sites/antitrafficking/files/study_on_the_gender_dimension_of_trafficking_in_human_beings._final_report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: https://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/sites/antitrafficking/files/study_on_the_gender_dimension_of_trafficking_in_human_beings._final_report.pdf Shelf Number: 138522 Keywords: Gender-Specific ResponsesHuman TraffickingSexual ExploitationVictimizationVictims of Trafficking |
Author: Wilson, David B. Title: Juvenile Curfew Effects on Criminal Behavior and Victimization: A Systematic Review Summary: The evidence suggests that juvenile curfews do not reduce crime or victimization. What is this review about? Curfews restrict youth below a certain - usually 17 or 18 - from public places during nighttime. For example, the Prince George's County, Maryland, curfew ordinance restricts youth younger than 17 from public places between 10 P.M. and 5 A.M. on weekdays and between midnight and 5 A.M. on weekends. Sanctions range from a fine that increases with each offense, community service, and restrictions on a youth's driver's license. Close to three quarters of US cities have curfews, which are also used in Iceland. A juvenile curfew has common sense appeal: keep youth at home during the late night and early morning hours and you will prevent them from committing a crime or being a victim of a crime. In addition, the potential for fines or other sanctions deter youth from being out in a public place during curfew hours. Juvenile curfews have received numerous legal challenges. The constitutional basis for infringing the rights of youth rests on the assumption that they reduce juvenile crime and victimization. This review synthesizes the evidence on the effectiveness of juvenile curfews in reducing criminal behavior and victimization among youth. What are the main findings of this review? What studies are included? Included studies test the effect of an official state or local policy intended to restrict or otherwise penalize a juvenile's presence outside the home during certain times of day. This must have been a general preventive measure directed at all youth within a certain age range and not a sanction imposed on a specific youth. Twelve quantitative evaluations of the effects of curfews on youth criminal behavior or victimization are included in the review. Do curfews reduce crime and victimization? The pattern of evidence suggests that juvenile curfews are ineffective at reducing crime and victimization. The average effect on juvenile crime during curfew hours was slightly positive - that is a slight increase in crime - and close to zero for crime during all hours. Both effects were not significant. Similarly, juvenile victimization also appeared unaffected by the imposition of a curfew ordinance. However, all the studies in the review suffer from some limitations that make it difficult to draw firm conclusions. Nonetheless, the lack of any credible evidence in their favour suggests that any effect is likely to be small at best and that curfews are unlikely to be a meaningful solution to juvenile crime and disorder. Other studies have suggested curfews may be ineffective as juvenile crime is concentrated in hours before and after school, and that under-resourced police forces focus on more urgent demands than enforcing curfews. What do the results mean? Contrary to popular belief, the evidence suggests that juvenile curfews do not produce the expected benefits. The study designs used in this research make it difficult to draw clear conclusions, so more research is needed to replicate the findings. However, many of the biases likely to occur in existing studies would make it more, rather than less, likely that we would conclude curfews are effective. For example, most of these studies were conducted during a time when crime was dropping throughout the United States. Therefore, our findings suggest that either curfews don't have any effect on crime, or the effect is too small to be identified in the research available. Details: Oslo: Campbell Collaboration, 2016. 101p. Source: Internet Resource: Campbell Systematic Review 2016:03: Accessed April 7, 2016 at: http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/lib/?go=browse_issues&year=2016 Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/lib/?go=browse_issues&year=2016 Shelf Number: 138595 Keywords: Delinquency PreventionJuvenile CurfewsJuvenile DelinquencyVictimization |
Author: McNeeley, Susan M. Title: Street Codes, Routine Activities, Neighborhood Context, and Victimization: An Examination of Alternative Models Summary: According to Elijah Anderson's Code of the Street (1999), individuals in disadvantaged communities adopt a set of oppositional values, partly because demonstrating these values allows them to avoid victimization. However, the empirical evidence on the effect of the street code on victimization is mixed, with several studies finding that those who adhere to the values provided in the code are at greater risk for victimization. This study incorporates lifestyle-routine activities theory in order to better understand the relationships between subcultural values, opportunity, and victimization. Specifically, three theoretical models are tested. In the first model, the main effects of code-related beliefs are examined, net of activities. The second model proposes an indirect effect of subcultural values on victimization through an increase in public activities or lifestyle. The third model is interactive in nature; one's beliefs and activities may interact to increase the chances of experiencing victimization, with adherence to subcultural values affecting victimization to a greater extent for those who more often engage in public activities. Additionally, the extent to which the effects of subcultural values in the form of street codes and public activities vary by neighborhood context is examined. Using survey data from approximately 3,500 adults from 123 census tracts in Seattle, Washington, multilevel models of crime-specific victimization were estimated. The findings revealed that both public lifestyles and adherence to the street code were positively related to violent and breaking and entering victimization. In addition, the effect of the street code on both types of victimization was moderated by public activities; code-related values contributed to greater risk of victimization for those with more public lifestyles, but were protective for those who did not spend as much time in public. Implications for policy and theory that arise from these findings are discussed, as are suggestions for future research. Details: Cincinnati: School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, 2013. 145p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 16, 2016 at: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/ap/10?0::NO:10:P10_ACCESSION_NUM:ucin1382951840 Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/ap/10?0::NO:10:P10_ACCESSION_NUM:ucin1382951840 Shelf Number: 139041 Keywords: Code of the StreetCommunities and CrimeNeighborhoods and CrimeRoutine ActivitiesVictimization |
Author: Maris, Lesbia Title: Crime Perceptions and Reality in Latin America Summary: We show that perceptions of insecurity are strongly correlated with victimization at the individual level and suggest that the reason this relationship is usually not uncovered in simple cross country studies is that they fail to consider observable differences across individuals who may face different perceptions of insecurity as well as different probabilities of victimization. Our findings are consistent with a model where individuals rank crime relative to other problems depending on whether they have developed coping mechanisms to attenuate the impact of crime on their wellbeing, the implication is that the weight individuals' place on crime depends more on changes in actual crime than on its level. We do not claim to establish a causal relationship between victimization and perception, but we raise the bar for claims of the absence of a correlation. Details: Caracas: CAF, 2014. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper no. 2014/01: Accessed September 17, 2016 at: http://scioteca.caf.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/255/crime-perceptions-latin-america.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Year: 2014 Country: Latin America URL: http://scioteca.caf.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/255/crime-perceptions-latin-america.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Shelf Number: 140334 Keywords: Crime Fear of Crime Victimization |
Author: Oudekerk, Barbara A. Title: Co-Offending Among Adolescents in Violent Victimization, 2004-2013 Summary: Presents estimates of nonfatal violent victimizations perceived by the victim to be committed by adolescents ages 12 to 17 during 2004-13. This report compares the characteristics of violent victimizations committed by adolescents acting alone, with other adolescents, and with young adults ages 18 to 29. Victim, offender, and incident characteristics are highlighted, including the type of crime, weapon use, victim injury, and whether reported to police. Data are from the National Crime Victimization Survey, a self-report survey administered every 6 months to persons age 12 or older from a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. Highlights: Adolescent offenders who acted alone or with others committed 50.0 nonfatal violent victimizations per 1,000 adolescents. Adolescent offenders committed 22% of all violent victimizations, while making up 10% of the U.S. population age 12 or older during this period. In violent victimizations committed by adolescents who acted with at least one other person, co-offenders were most commonly other adolescents (59%) or young adults (28%). More violent victimizations were committed by adolescents who acted alone (64%) than those who acted with co-offenders (36%). Simple assaults made up a greater percentage of violent victimizations committed by adolescents acting alone (77%) or with other adolescents (71%), compared to victimizations by adolescents acting with young adults (53%). Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2016. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2016 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/caavv0413.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/caavv0413.pdf Shelf Number: 140356 Keywords: AdolescentsCo-OffendingCrime StatisticsVictimizationVictimization SurveyVictims of CrimeViolent Crime |
Author: Ortega Londono, Carolina Title: Happiness and Victimization in Latin America Summary: In recent decades, studies on economics have identified happiness as a life quality indicator that not only accounts for individuals' socioeconomic improvement but also accounts for their interactions with institutions and public goods, such as personal safety and protection of life. This study examines the determinants of individual happiness of Latin American citizens by focusing on whether the individual had been a victim of a crime in the last twelve months. To do this, a generalized ordered logit with partial constraints is used to analyze data obtained from the Americas Barometer Survey of 2014. The individual self- reported level of life satisfaction is used to study its relationship with having been a victim of a crime during the previous year. The results suggest the existence of a negative relationship between having been a victim of a crime in the past twelve months and being very satisfied with life. Details: Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia: Universidad EAFIT, 2016. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: No. 16-28: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: https://repository.eafit.edu.co/bitstream/handle/10784/9115/WP-2016-28%20Carolina%20Ortega.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y Year: 2016 Country: Latin America URL: https://repository.eafit.edu.co/bitstream/handle/10784/9115/WP-2016-28%20Carolina%20Ortega.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y Shelf Number: 140366 Keywords: VictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Trajtenberg, Nico Title: Towards a more Effective Violence Prevention Policy in Uruguay Summary: This report presents the results of the Montevideo Project on the Social Development of Children and Youths (m-proso) study, a large representative school-based survey of young people on deviance and violence conducted in Montevideo. The study was funded by the UBS Optimus Foundation and the data was collected by the University of Cambridge and Universidad de la Republica del Uruguay in coordination with the directorial council of the Administracion Nacional de Educacion Publica (ANEP). The main empirical goal of this study was to describe levels of violent victimization and violent behaviour among adolescents in Montevideo. It also aimed to identify major individual, family, school and life-style risk factors associated with victimization and perpetration that can inform the development of a national policy for the prevention of youth violence. To achieve this goal a large representative survey of over 2202 adolescents in grade 9 (i.e. approximately age 15) from public and private high schools was conducted in 2013. The study results can be divided in two main areas: Victimization: - 25% of adolescents have been victims of one of the three types of violence in the past year. Robbery victimizations are most frequent, followed by assault and sexual assault. Most victimizations occur in public space or at school, and are committed by peers of the same age. Only about one out of ten incidents are reported to the police. - The risk of victimization was associated with a number of lifestyle characteristics. Adolescents who go out frequently, consume psychoactive substances, and who engage in delinquent activities are at a greater risk of violent victimization. Also, adolescents with a disability were at a higher risk of victimization, while socio-demographic characteristics were not found to be predictive of victimization. - 28% of adolescents reported experiences of corporal punishment by their parents. Socio-demographic characteristics did not predict the likelihood of corporal punishment. However, the likelihood of corporal punishment was more likely if there was more parental conflict. The experience of corporal punishment was associated with more depressive symptoms. - 20% of adolescents experienced bullying victimization at least once per month. Bullying victims differed from non-victims in several ways: they were more likely to have a poor relationship with classmates and more likely to have academic difficulties. At home they were more likely to experience erratic discipline and parental conflict. Also, adolescents with a disability were found to be more likely to be victimized. - The results of the present study supported findings from international research that different types of victimization tend to be correlated. For example, victims of corporal punishment by their parents were significantly more likely to also experience bullying and violent victimization. Perpetration - 17% of adolescents admitted to having committed at least one act of violence in the past year. 19% of adolescents reported to be involved in a group that threatens, robs or assaults other people. And 13% of adolescents reported that they bullied other adolescents at least once per month. - Different types of violence are strongly correlated in that, for example, adolescents who verbally bully others also tend to be involved in physical fights or robberies committed within a group of other adolescents. Male adolescents are overrepresented for all types of direct aggression, but their predominance is larger for aggression that entails physical force, is more serious, and committed in groups. - Involvement in violence is part of a wider syndrome of adolescent problem behaviours: Violent adolescents are much more likely to also be involvement in non-violent delinquent acts including theft in school, at home or in shops, vandalism and burglary, or drug dealing. They are also more likely to run away from home and to play truant at school. Finally, adolescents involved in violence are much more likely to use alcohol, cannabis, or hard drugs. - Adolescents with a higher involvement in violent acts differed in their personality characteristics from other youth. They were more riskseeking, impulsive, self-centred and short-sighted than non-violent youth; they were more likely to internalize delinquent norms and to reject conventional moral principles; they had lower conflict resolution skills in that they were more likely to react with anger and less likely to understand diferent sides of an argument; and they tend to believe that they are stronger and better fighters than others. - Adolescents involved in physical violence and bullying also differ on school-related characteristics: They were significantly more likely to have been retained at school, to play truant, to have a poor relationship to the teacher and to have a low commitment to do well at school. They were also less likely to accept the authority of teachers and directors. - More violent adolescents tend to live in families where parents were less likely to be involved in joint activities with the young person, that they were less able to efectively supervise the activities of their child, and that they were more likely to use physical punishment as a disciplining strategy. - Finally, aggressive adolescents tend to spend a lot more time playing violent computer games, they are out on the streets more often during night-time and weekends, and they spend this unsupervised time more often in the company of delinquent peers. Finally, based on the aforementioned results and following the WHO public health framework of violence prevention this report provides recommendations on five areas of intervention: enhance parenting support; improve school climate and behaviour management in schools; improve the legitimacy of the police; reduce early access to psychoactive substances and weapons; and reducing street violence and robbery. Details: Cambridge, UK: University of Cambridge, Institute of Criminology, Violence Research Centre, 2015. 162p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2016 at: http://www.vrc.crim.cam.ac.uk/vrcresearch/meuruguay/uruguayeng Year: 2015 Country: Uruguay URL: http://www.vrc.crim.cam.ac.uk/vrcresearch/meuruguay/uruguayeng Shelf Number: 145077 Keywords: Juvenile OffendersRobberyStreet ViolenceVictimizationViolenceViolence PreventionViolent CrimeYouth Violence |
Author: Braakmann, Nils Title: Crime, health and wellbeing -- Longitudinal evidence from Mexico Summary: This paper uses variation in victimization probabilities between individuals living in the same community to shed new light on the costs of crime. I use panel data from the Mexican Family Life Survey for 2002 and 2005 and look at the impact of within-community differences in victimization risk on changes in self-rated and mental health. My results from fixed effects and instrumental variable estimations point towards substantial negative health effects of actual victimization, which might help to explain the existence of compensating differentials in wages or house prices found in earlier studies. Details: Munich: Munich Personal RePEc Archive, 2013. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: MPRA Paper No. 44885: Accessed December 7, 2016 at: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/44885/1/MPRA_paper_44882.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Mexico URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/44885/1/MPRA_paper_44882.pdf Shelf Number: 147945 Keywords: Communities and CrimeCosts of CrimeEconomic AnalysisMental healthVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Aho, Nikolas Title: Victimization, Prevalence, Health and Peritraumatic Reactions in Swedish Adolescents Summary: The aim of this thesis was to expand the knowledge of victimization in children and youth in Sweden. Victimization, prevalence, health and peritraumatic reactions were explored in a cross sectional, representative sample of 5,960 second grade high school students in Sweden. A computerized survey was developed and administered in class room setting. Lifetime victimization was found in 84.1% of the sample (m=83.0%, f=85.2%), and, in relation to the five domains, 66.4% had experienced conventional crime, 24% child maltreatment, 54.4% peer and sibling victimization, 21.8% sexual victimization, and 54% had experienced witness victimization. Females experienced significantly more child maltreatment, peer and sibling victimization, sexual victimization, and witnessed victimization, males more conventional crime (p<0.001). Using logistic regression risk factors for victimization were confirmed by a significant increase OR regarding gender, environment and lack of both parents. Symptoms (TSCC), were clearly associated with both victimizations per se and the number of victimizations. The results indicated a relatively linear increase in symptoms with an increase in number of events experienced. Mental health of the polyvictimized group was significantly worse than that of the non-polyvictimized group, with significantly elevated TSCC scores (t<0.001). Hierarchical regression analysis resulted in beta value reduction when polyvictimization was introduced supporting the independent effect on symptoms. Social anxiety was found in 10.2 % (n = 605) of the total group (n = 5,960). A significant gender difference emerged, with more females than males reporting social anxiety. Elevated PTSS was found in 14.8 % (n=883). Binary logistic regression revealed the highest OR for having had contact with child and adolescent psychiatry was found for the combined group with social anxiety and elevated PTSS (OR = 4.88, 95 % CI = 3.53 - 6.73, p<001). Significant associations were also found between use of child and adolescent psychiatry and female gender (OR = 2.05, 95 % CI = 1.70 - 2.45), Swedish birth origin (OR = 1.68, 95 % CI = 1.16-2.42) and living in a small municipality (OR = 1.33, 95 % CI = 1.02-1.73). Mediation models used peritraumatic reactions (PT): total, physiological arousal (PA), peritraumatic dissociation (PD), and intervention thoughts (IT) and JVQ and TSCC. Of the n=5,332 cases, a total of n=4,483 (84.1%) reported at least one victimizing event (m = 83.0%, f = 85.2%). Of these, 74.9% (n=3,360) also experienced a PT reaction of some kind. The effect mediated by PT tot was b= 0.479, BCa CI [0.342 - 0.640], representing a relatively small effect of 7.6%, 2=0.076, 95% BCa CI [0.054-0.101]. The mediating effect of JVQ on TSCC was mediated by PD more for males (b=0.394 BCa CI [0.170-0.636]) than for females (b=0.247, BCa CI [0.021-0.469]). The indirect effect of the JVQ on the TSCC total mediated by the different PT reactions was significant for PD (b=0.355, BCa CI [0.199-0.523]. In males a mediating effect of PD could be seen in the different models, while females had a more mixed result. IT did not show any indirect effect in males, but had a mixed effect for females. The empirical findings in this thesis lead to the conclusion that victimization is highly prevalent in children and youth and is related to health issues. The association of victimization on symptoms was mediated by peritraumatic reactions. Using a comprehensive instrument such as the JVQ provides the researcher or clinician the opportunity to acquire more complete measurement and also makes it possible to identify polyvictimization, a high-level category of events with severe impact on health. Details: Linköping, Sweden: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Linköping University, 2016. 145p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed January 30, 2017 at: https://liu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1047437/FULLTEXT01.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Sweden URL: https://liu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1047437/FULLTEXT01.pdf Shelf Number: 146036 Keywords: Childhood TraumaJuvenile VictimsPolyvictimizationRepeat VictimizationVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Dowse, Leanne Title: People with Complex Needs who are the Victims of Crime: Building evidence for responsive support Summary: This project aimed to provide a detailed description of the nature and experience of crime victimisation for an identified group of people with complex needs in NSW, including those who have intellectual disability and mental health disorders and other co-occurring experiences of social disadvantage and who have been in the criminal justice system as offenders. Through interview and consultation with key organisations delivering services or representing the interests of this group, the project has also explored the current context of service delivery in NSW, identified key current challenges in providing responsive, appropriate and adequate support to this group and identified current gaps and innovative or best practice where it currently exists. The report provides context and background to the issue and draws on an already assembled unique source of linked data obtained from routine data collections from a range of service organisations in NSW on a cohort of 2731 people who have complex needs and who have been incarcerated in NSW. The People with Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Disabilities (MHDCD) in the Criminal Justice System dataset www.mhdcd.unsw.edu.au allows both quantitative and qualitative descriptions of victimisation pathways and experiences. Outcomes of the analysis of the MHDCD dataset are provided here in the form of descriptive statistical analysis of the cohort as a whole, supported by selected case studies, which allow detailed illustration and nuanced observation of the ‘lived experience’ of victimisation for this group. Consultation and interviews were conducted with 21 individuals from organisations identified through an environmental scan as key stakeholders in providing services to this group or representing their interests in policy and practice. Key findings emerging from the descriptive statistical analysis suggest that victimisation is very common in the lives of people with complex needs who offend. The majority of the cohort (85%) has experienced at least one instance of being a victim and over half (65%) have been the victim of violent crime. Victimisation is more common among women, and those reporting a prior history of homelessness, those with a history of alcohol and drug use problems, intellectual disability, a mental health condition, an acquired brain injury and a history of serious mental illness such as schizophrenia. Analysis of violent victimisation identifies higher incidence for women, Aboriginal Australians, those with a history of homelessness and those who had experienced custody as a juvenile. Aboriginal Australians on average experience their first victimisation at a younger age than non-Aboriginal people. Analysis suggests that whilst the presence of any disability diagnosis is associated with high rates of victimisation, increasing levels of health complexity and need are associated with an increased risk of violent victimisation (54.6% of those with one diagnosis had been violently victimised compared to 71.8% of those with two diagnoses and 80.6% of those with three diagnoses, p<0.01). This indicates that it is not simply the presence of a disability that increases vulnerability to victimisation, but rather the interaction of multiple and compounding disability and social disadvantage operates to increase vulnerability to violence. Interestingly it was found that this pattern is reversed in relation to non-violent victimisation experiences, so that while having greater complexity in diagnoses makes individuals more likely to be a victim of violence, it appears to proportionally decrease the likelihood of non-violent victimisation. Analysis of service interactions for the cohort indicate that those who have received disability services at some point in their lives, those who have received Legal Aid, and are clients of Housing NSW experience higher levels of violent victimisation as compared to non-violent crime. Clients of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, and of its Community Justice Program, have particularly high rates of personal victimisation indicating that these services face challenges in dealing with their clients’ disability needs when they clearly occur in the context of a more complex life world characterised by high vulnerability to victimisation. Legal Aid clients similarly experience a disproportionately high incidence of victimisation, particularly of a violent nature, as do those who have tenancies with Housing NSW. Case study analysis illustrates the simultaneous and multiple processes of marginalisation experienced by people with complex needs. These can be seen to both create the context for their vulnerability to victimisation and to result in system and service responses which are limited, inadequate and often criminalising in and of themselves, such as the consequences of victimisation in out of home care settings. The significant impact of early victimisation experiences, especially sexual abuse and assault, can be seen in the life trajectories of the individual case studies presented. The impact of unstable early life and childhood experience of victimisation can be seen in the later teenage and early adult years of individual lives manifesting as vulnerabilities to their both experiencing and perpetrating further forms of violence, in particular in their adult domestic contexts. Also clearly illustrated is the vulnerability to harassment and victimisation associated with having a cognitive impairment where individuals are both subject to victimisation directly related to their disability and less able to respond in ways that do not escalate their victimisation. Similarly, the presence of cognitive impairment appears to lessen the chances lessen the chances of recognition, reporting and adequate redress such as reports not being taken seriously, appropriate support for disclosure not being available and the risks associated with disclosing victimisation within a care relationship on which an individual may be dependent. Key representative and service provider organisations identified through an initial environmental scan were approached for interview. The 21 individuals interviewed identified a range of significant issues which are currently seen to impact on policy and services for this group. Barriers to the provision of responsive and appropriate services for this group were identified by informants to include issues around a general lack of capacity of mainstream support services to cater to the needs of this group, poor communication and awareness of services that are available, low levels of identification and engagement of people with complex needs in services generally, restricted availability and accessibility of services and the reluctance of people with complex needs to engage who generally have had poor experiences with services in the past. Enablers for better responses were identified as service flexibility and accessibility, proactive and outreach service models which are skilled in the recognition, identification and assessment of victimisation and its impacts on those with complex needs. Key principles underpinning best practice in the area were identified as including inclusive and universal communication strategies for engaging individuals in services, a trauma informed care approach which is holistic, person-centred and premised on relationship and trust building as a foundation for addressing more complex issues of vulnerability to victimisation. Enhanced capacity in both specialist and mainstream provision would be enabled by the development of training and awareness of the connections between complex needs, offending and victimisation. An approach which is informed by a human rights framework which is community based and which premises prevention and early intervention was identified as foundational to enhancing capacity to provide responsive and appropriate support for those with complex needs who have or at are risk of being the victim of crime. Details: Sydney: University of New South Wales, 2015. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 27, 2017 at: http://www.victimsclearinghouse.nsw.gov.au/Documents/People_with_Complex_Needs_and_Crime_Victimsation_Final_Report_Jan_2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.victimsclearinghouse.nsw.gov.au/Documents/People_with_Complex_Needs_and_Crime_Victimsation_Final_Report_Jan_2015.pdf Shelf Number: 141222 Keywords: DisabilityVictim ServicesVictimizationVictims of CrimeVulnerable PeoplesVulnerable Victims |
Author: Houston-Kolnik, Jaclyn Title: Ad Hoc Victim Services Committee Research Report Summary: The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority's (ICJIA) Ad Hoc Victim Services Committee (Committee) convenes every three years to define priorities for use of S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funds. The criminal justice, juvenile justice, victim services professionals, and victim advocates who comprise the Committee review crime and victimization trend data, information on current efforts, and data from funded programs to ensure a minimum provision of basic services to victims of crime and prioritize funding. To assist the Committee at its convening on January 10 and 11, 2017, ICJIA researchers conducted a study to identify crime victim needs and service gaps and measure the existing capacity of Illinois victim service providers. The study focused on crime victimization throughout the state, including a wide range of crime types and victim service practices. This report synthesizes the information collected, literature reviewed, and data analyzed, and provides a set of recommendations based on the research findings. The recommendations provided in this report are limited to what may be funded through VOCA and VAWA. A complete set of findings that includes a broader discussion about victim needs and services that cannot be addressed by VOCA or VAWA will be made available to the public in early 2017. Section Overview Section 1-Research Approach begins with a brief summary of the research methodology employed, including the project's main components and data limitations. Section 2-Allowable Costs provides an overview of what costs are allowable under federal VOCA and VAWA guidelines. Section 3-Victim Service Provider Capacity and Section 4-Underserved Groups document two overarching themes identified: (1) victim service provider capacity issues and (2) underserved groups. These themes were consistently discussed by study participants and provide an important context for discussions around expanding victim services in Illinois. Sections 5 through 12 of the report focus on the crime-specific analysis of victimization in Illinois. Researchers examined specific crimes types, most of which constitute violent crimes, to identify particular issues and needs of each victim group. These analyses also revealed similarities and differences across crime types. Section 5-Community Violence is the first crime type examined. Community violence encompasses a large range of crimes from homicide and robbery to violence in homes, schools, and workplaces. Although subsequent sections provide more detailed analysis of the specific crime types that may fall under the broad definition of community violence used in this report, it was felt that a section devoted to the issue of community violence was appropriate because, from a public health perspective, violence not only impacts individuals, but also family members, loved ones, and communities. Following the section devoted to community violence, individual crime type reports are presented in the following order: Section 6-Homicide, Section 7-Impaired Driving-related Crashes, Section 8-Domestic Violence, Section 9-Sexual Assault, Section 10-Human Trafficking, Section 11-Child Abuse, and Section 12-Elder Abuse. Each crime type report begins with a map of the rate of victimization in Illinois and the locations of victim service agencies that receive state funding (through ICJIA or other state agencies). Next follows an analysis of the major crime trends and victim characteristics to better understand the nature of victimization. Research on the impact of the crime on victims is then presented to highlight the unique experiences of victims. Lastly, the researchers combine these assessments with data collected from victims, victim service providers, and criminal justice practitioners in order to identify the service needs and gaps of victims by crime type. Taken together, each section provides a discussion of each crime and where the crime occurs, who victims of these crimes are, why victims are in need of services, and highlights what services are needed and where services may be lacking. Section 13-Recommendations provides a summary of the recommended funding priorities, informed by ICJIA's analysis of victimization in Illinois. Each recommendation includes a brief justification that highlights information collected from crime victims, victim service providers, juvenile and criminal justice practitioners, examination of existing literature reviews, or analysis of the crime data. Details: Chicago: Illinois Criminal Justice Information authority, 2017. 145p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2017 at: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/assets/articles/ICJIA_FINAL_AdHocReport_VictimServices_012717.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/assets/articles/ICJIA_FINAL_AdHocReport_VictimServices_012717.pdf Shelf Number: 144552 Keywords: Victim Services VictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Morgan, Rachel E. Title: Race And Hispanic Origin Of Victims And Offenders, 2012-15 Summary: Presents estimates of violent victimization (rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault) by the race and Hispanic origin of victims and offenders during the 4-year period from 2012 through 2015. This report examines victim, offender, and incident characteristics, such as crime type, victim-offender relationship, and reporting to police. Findings are based on data from BJS's National Crime Victimization Survey, which collects information on nonfatal crimes, reported and not reported to the police, against persons age 12 or older. Highlights: During 2012-15, half (51%) of violent victimizations were intraracial, that is both victims and offenders were the same race or both were of Hispanic origin. In the majority of violent victimizations, white victims' offenders were white (57%) and black victims' offenders were black (63%). The rates of total violent crime, serious violent crime, and simple assault were higher for intraracial victimizations than for interracial victimizations. From 1994 to 2015, white-on-white violence (down 79%) and black-on-black violence (down 78%) declined at a similar rate. During 2012-15, there were no differences among white, black, and Hispanic intraracial victimizations reported to police. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2017. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2017 at: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rhovo1215.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rhovo1215.pdf Shelf Number: 147744 Keywords: Crime StatisticsNational Crime Victimization SurveyRace and CrimeRapeRobberySexual AssaultVictimizationVictimsViolent Crime |
Author: Dwyer, Angela Title: Reporting Victimisation to LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex) Police Liaison Services: A mixed methods study across two Australian states Summary: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) police liaison programs were established around Australia from the late 1980s onwards to ameliorate the historically discriminatory relationships between LGBTI people and police. Police liaison officers are trained to know about LGBTI issues and are typically available for LGBTI people to seek support from in circumstances where they have been a victim, an offender, or even a witness to a crime. Interestingly, very few LGBTI people seek support from these officers when they need it (Berman and Robinson 2010), even though amongst LGBTI people there is a considerable awareness of these services being available. Details: Sydney: Criminology Research Advisory Council, 2017. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 2, 2017 at: http://crg.aic.gov.au/reports/1718/31-1112-FinalReport.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: http://crg.aic.gov.au/reports/1718/31-1112-FinalReport.pdf Shelf Number: 147968 Keywords: Bias-Motivated Crimes Hate Crimes LGBTI Persons Victimization |
Author: Perreault, Samuel Title: Canadians' perceptions of personal safety and crime, 2014 Summary: A sense of personal safety has been intrinsically linked to a sense of well-being. Measures of safety are routinely included in key wellness indicators such as the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (University of Waterloo) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Better Life Index. Several studies have also shown that a perceived lack of safety could have various adverse effects on individuals and communities. In particular, fear of crime can lead to withdrawal from community life and reduces social cohesion (Cobbina et al. 2008). It can also lead some people to adopt restrictive behaviours, such as avoiding certain places or not going out after a certain time. A sense of insecurity can also lead to increased spending to protect against crime or even be the reason that some people move away (Hale 1996). Finally, insecurity can have negative effects on physical and mental health and general well-being (Foster et al. 2014; Lorenc 2012; Adams and Serpe 2000). Research on sense of safety-or on the fear of crime-has also shown personal safety to be associated with far more than just fear of being a victim of crime. A sense of insecurity is generally a wide-ranging fear or anxiety linked to many personal and environmental factors (Farrall et al. 2009). Thus, a sense of safety is thought to be influenced by factors related to vulnerability: people whose risk of victimization is higher, or those who feel less able to defend themselves against or recover from the consequences of victimization (particularly women and the elderly) would have higher levels of fear (Sacco 1995; Covington and Taylor 1991; Killias 1990). The community in which a person lives can also have a significant impact on their sense of safety. There is general agreement that people who live in a place where neighbours know each other, help each other and trust each other have a greater sense of personal safety (Yuan and McNeeley 2017; Gibson et al. 2002; Sampson et al. 1997). Finally, the presence of social disorder and antisocial behaviours also seems to have an unsettling effect because these are indicators that more serious crimes might be committed or that the community or the police have been unable to adequately control deviant behaviour (Intravia et al. 2016; Fitzgerald 2008; Sampson et al. 1997).Note Since a sense of safety is only partly associated with actual levels of crime, it is important to measure it accurately and to understand factors that may contribute to a sense of safety. Research on the subject has shown that a sense of safety is a concept that can be expressed in different ways, and it is usually best to use more than one measure to better understand its nature, scope and key trends. This Juristat article outlines the main measures related to sense of safety included in the 2014 General Social Survey (GSS) on Canadians' Safety (Victimization) at the national, provincial, territorial, census metropolitan area and census agglomeration levels. It also presents the main characteristics associated with Canadians' sense of safety. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2017. 35o, Source: Internet Resource: Juristat 37, no. 1: Accessed March 20, 2018 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2017001/article/54889-eng.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2017001/article/54889-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 0 Keywords: Fear of Crime (Canada)NeighborhoodsPublic SafetyVictimizationVictimization Surveys |
Author: Andell, Paul Title: Preventing the Violent and Sexual Victimisation of Vulnerable gang-involved and gang-affected children and young people in Ipswich Summary: A Suffolk Constabulary threat assessment initiated in 2014 observed that the supply of Class A Drugs to Ipswich and other Suffolk towns was dominated by street gangs from London. It notes that children and young people from London and Suffolk were involved in 'running' the drugs to end users and that their risk of coming to harm was high. The Police estimated at this point that a small number of young people, frequently recorded as 'missing' from Care or home by the police and Safeguarding authorities, were either known, or suspected, to be working for London-based drug dealing networks. Children and young people reported 'missing' in London had also been found at Suffolk addresses known to be used for drug dealing. The assessment recognised that in the preceding decade there had been an increase in the numbers of boys and young men travelling from London to Ipswich in order to supply Class A drugs and that members of London-based drug-dealing groups had been present in Ipswich throughout this period despite several successful police operations to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of Class A drugs. The assessment suggested that violence, threats and coercion were used routinely by these groups to exert control over vulnerable children and young people and local Class A drug users whose homes were being 'cuckooed'. This kind of violence was evident in other parts of Suffolk where the illicit drug market was saturated and competition between dealers was fierce. Intelligence also suggested that Organised Crime Groups (OCG's) involved in drug dealing were storing weapons at dealing locations and arming 'runners' with knives. In recognition of these problems, in November 2014, representatives of the government's Ending Gangs and Youth Violence (EGYV) programme were invited to undertake a peer review of the effectiveness of local responses and provide a framework for future action. The EGYV review noted that senior leaders in the County had recognized the serious threat posed by the gang problem and that a range of existing multi-agency initiatives had been put in place. It observed that the Ipswich Borough Police Commander had established a GOLD policing strategy and constructed a complementary multi-agency intervention (Operation Volcanic). However it appeared that lack of clarity vis-a-vis roles and responsibilities within the community safety and other partnerships meant there were no obvious mechanisms to effectively identify, address and communicate a way of dealing with gang offending by the partnership. It also noted that, to date, senior leaders did not have a formal or specific role and that responses were largely Police-led and enforcement-based. Details: Ipswich, UK: University of Suffolk, 2017. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed May 15, 2018 at: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27822/1/Preventing_the_violent_and_sexual_victimisation_of_vulnerable_gang_involved.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27822/1/Preventing_the_violent_and_sexual_victimisation_of_vulnerable_gang_involved.pdf Shelf Number: 150190 Keywords: Drug DealingDrug ViolenceDrug-Related ViolenceGangsSexual AssaultVictimization |
Author: Smith, Russell G. Title: Identity crime and misuse in Australia: Results of the 2016 online survey Summary: Identity crime involving misuse of personal information is arguably one of the most prevalent criminal activities in Australia, affecting individuals, businesses and government agencies alike. It is estimated that identity crime affects hundreds of thousands of Australians each year (AGD 2016). In April 2007, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the National Identity Security Strategy to protect the identities of Australians in a more regulated and efficient way. This arose out of emerging evidence at the time that large numbers of Australians experience misuse of their personal information for criminal purposes each year (Cuganesan & Lacey 2003; OAIC 2007). The strategy sought to enhance identification and verification processes throughout Australia and to develop other measures to combat identity crime, including the creation of a national Document Verification Service to verify the authenticity of identity credentials and the development of reliable, consistent and nationally interoperable biometric security measures for use in all jurisdictions (AGD 2012). The strategy also recognised the need to quantify the nature and extent of identity crime and misuse of personal information, particularly the victimisation experiences of Australians. It recommended the creation of an identity crime and misuse longitudinal measurement framework that could be used to measure the effectiveness of policy and practice throughout Australia. As part of the measurement framework, large-scale surveys have been conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) to determine respondents' experiences of victimisation-over their lifetime and during the preceding 12 months-and their perceptions of the risk of identity crime in the ensuing 12 months. This report presents the results of the latest identity crime and misuse survey, undertaken by the AIC in May 2016. It updates information obtained in earlier surveys, undertaken in 2013 and 2014, and provides an indication of how the identity crime and misuse of personal information environment has changed in Australia since 2013. Future surveys will continue to track not only changes in victimisation rates but also the economic impact of identity crime and misuse. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2018. 111p. Source: Internet Resource: Statistical Report 06: Accessed May 29, 2018 at: https://aic.gov.au/publications/sr/sr6 Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: https://aic.gov.au/publications/sr/sr6 Shelf Number: 159376 Keywords: Crime StatisticsFraudIdentity TheftVictimization |
Author: Violence Policy Center Title: Hispanic Victims of Lethal Firearms Violence in the United States Summary: Key Findings - The homicide victimization rate for Hispanics in the United States is more than twice as high as the homicide victimization rate for whites. The Hispanic homicide victimization rate in 2010 was 5.73 per 100,000. In comparison, the homicide victimization rate for whites was 2.52 per 100,000 (p. 4). - Homicide is the second leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 15 to 24 (p. 5). - More than 38,000 Hispanics were killed by guns between 1999 and 2010. During this period, 26,349 Hispanics died in gun homicides, 10,314 died in gun suicides, and 747 died in unintentional shootings (p. 4). - Most Hispanic murder victims are killed with guns. Guns are used in more than two-thirds of the homicides where the victims are Hispanic (p. 5). The latest data shows that for homicides where the victim was Hispanic and a gun was used, 78 percent of these shootings involved a handgun (p. 10). - Hispanic victims are more likely to be killed by a stranger than the national average. The latest data from 2011 shows that when the victim-to-offender relationship could be identified, 39 percent of Hispanic victims were killed by a stranger. Nationwide, 25 percent of all homicide victims were killed by strangers (p. 11). - A large percentage of Hispanic homicide victims are young. The most recent available data shows 41 percent of Hispanic homicide victims in 2011 were age 24 and younger. In comparison, 40 percent of black homicide victims and 22 percent of white homicide victims were age 24 and younger (p. 12). - As a result of the limitations in current data collection, the total number of Hispanic victims is almost certainly higher than the reported numbers suggest. Government agencies often report data on race but not on ethnic origin. Recognizing the changing demographic landscape in the United States, it is clear that fully documenting such victimization is a crucial first step toward preventing it. Details: Washington, DC, 2018. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 12, 2018 at: http://www.vpc.org/studies/hispanic.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://www.vpc.org/studies/hispanic.pdf Shelf Number: 151456 Keywords: Firearms Gangs Gun Violence Hispanic Victimmization Homicides Victimization |
Author: Chrysanthou, Georgios Marios Title: The Dynamics and Determinants of Bullying Victimisation Summary: We study the determinants and longitudinal evolution of nine types of adolescent (verbal, physical, indirect) bullying at school and domestically using the Understanding Society dataset during 2009-13. Family support is the most prominent protective factor against bullying. Applying joint maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) for dynamic discrete responses, we investigate potential simultaneous determination of bullying and family support. The estimates indicate that bullying disclosure might be uncommon. The probability of escaping/suffering victimisation is inversely/positively related to previous bullying intensity, respectively. Family income increases domestic indirect aggression but, reduces direct aggression and non-domestic bullying as does living in a high income region. Details: Bonn, Germany: Institute of Labor Economics, 2018. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 17, 2018 at: https://www.iza.org/publications/dp/11902/the-dynamics-and-determinants-of-bullying-victimisation Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp11902.pdf Shelf Number: 153865 Keywords: Bullying Longitudinal Analysis School Bullying Understanding Society Victimization |
Author: Muggah, Robert Title: Citizen Security in Latin America: Facts and Figures Summary: Executive Summary Many Latin American countries, states and cities are facing a chronic public security crisis. In spite of more than a decade of modest economic growth, crime and victimization rates are rising, not dropping. Nevertheless, recent information of 2017 show some signs of improvement. Criminal violence is routinely singled out as one of the top concerns of citizens from across Mexico, Central America and South America. And there are warning signs that the region's high rates of criminal violence and victimization will continue rising if nothing is done. Latin American priorities and approaches to public security have shifted over the past two decades, with growing attention devoted to citizen security. In contrast to traditional law and order approaches to crime, citizen security privileges a more comprehensive and people-centered conceptualization of security and safety including more data-driven policing, smarter approaches to criminal justice, alternatives to incarceration, and investments in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. The following report sets out the broad parameters of Latin Americas crime challenges and explores innovations in promoting public safety and citizen security. It also underlines the heterogeneity of Latin America's security environment, including the strong differences between regions, countries, states and cities. Taken together, the report issues a descriptive assessment of the scope and scale of the challenges, as well as opportunities for governments, businesses and civil society to support partners in their efforts to prevent and reduce crime and improve safety for all Latin Americans. The report's executive summary sets out a number of key facts related to citizen security in Latin America. These facts are drawn from a wide range of sources. A detailed list of the sources for each of the graphs is included in the Annex. Among the key findings are: 1. Latin America is home to 8 percent of the worlds population yet experiences 33 percent of the worlds homicides. 2. More than 2.5 million Latin Americans have been killed violently since 2000, most of them due to intentional homicide. 3. Latin Americans regional homicide rate is roughly 21.5 per 100,000, more than three times the global average. 4. Over the past decade Latin America's regional homicide rate has increased 3.7 percent a year, three times the population growth rate of 1.1 percent. 5. Given current trends, Latin America's homicide rate is expected to reach 39.6 per 100,000 by 2030. 6. At least 17 of the top 20 most homicidal countries in the world are located in Central America, the Caribbean and South America. The region is still the worlds most murderous in 2017, but some of the most violent countries saw improvement -including El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. 7. Homicidal violence is highly concentrated in the region with Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela accounting for 1 in 4 homicides globally. 8. More than 141 Latin American cities (52 percent of all cities over with more than 250,000 inhabitants), register homicide rates above the regional average (21.5 per 100,000). 9. As of 2016, 43 of the 50 most homicidal cities in the planet were located in Latin America. 10. Most victims of homicide are male. In Latin America, at least 80 percent of all murder victims are male as compared to a global average of 74 percent. In South America the proportion rises to 88 percent and in the Caribbean 83 percent. 11. Half of Latin American murder victims are between 15-29 years old, representing a tremendous human cost and considerable lost productivity. 12. The proportion of homicides involving firearms is exceedingly high in Latin America 67 percent of murders in Central America, 53 percent of murders in South America and 51 percent of murders in the Caribbean. The global average of firearm-related homicides is 32 percent. 13. Gang-related violence plays a disproportionate role in homicides across Latin America (26 percent of all known cases) as compared to Europe or Asia. 14. South America has the highest level of reported physical assaults and violent robberies in the world. Victimization surveys confirm high rates of these crimes. 15. Victimization surveys indicate that violence against women and children is pervasive. When asked to describe the most harmful types of violence, 65 percent of Latin American respondents claim it is violence against women and 63 percent say it is violence against children. This is higher than street violence (59 percent) and organized crime and gang-related violence (both 51 percent). 16. Victimization surveys report that 36% of all Latin Americans claim to have been a victim of a crime in 2016. 17. The countries with the highest level of victimization are Venezuela (48 percent), Mexico (46 percent) and Argentina (41 percent). The country with the lowest level of victimization is Ecuador (29 percent). 18. Latin Americans report feeling unsafe in their countries. Among the top ten worlds countries least likely to report feeling safe are Venezuela (just 14 percent say they feel safe), El Salvador (36 percent), Dominican Republic (36 percent), Peru (40 percent) and Mexico (40 percent). 19. And just 19 percent of Venezuelans report being confident in the police in 2015 the lowest score of any country on the planet. By comparison, 32 percent of Afghans and 32 percent of Syrians report being confident in their police. 20. According to public surveys, when asked whether police "are involved in crime" 44 percent of Latin Americans responded affirmatively. In 7 of 18 countries, the percentage rises to above 50 percent. 21. High perceptions of police corruption are associated with high rates of criminal victimization. When societies believe that most police solicit bribes, there is as much as a 50 percent increase in the probability of citizens reporting being victimized in a crime. 22. Public surveys suggest low trust in Latin Americas judicial institutions. According to surveys conducted between 2015 and 2016, the reported faith of Latin Americans in judicial institutions declined from 30 percent to 26 percent. 23. The sensation of fear and insecurity affects citizen's confidence in the legitimacy of the political system. Research shows that individuals reporting low perception of crime report on average a 3 percent higher favourability of political institutions then those with a higher perception of crime. 24. High crime rates also affect people's mobility. The percentage of Latin Americans who report limiting their "places of recreation" for fear of being a victim of crime in 2012 ranged from 20-59 percent. The proportion of people who say they have limited the places they shop also ranges from 17 percent to 51 percent. 25. High rates of crime-related victimization are also strongly associated with decisions by households to migrate. Personal experiences with corruption also significantly increase the probability that an individual will consider leaving their country. 26. There is an exceedingly high rate of impunity associated with homicide in Latin America. Roughly 80 percent of European homicides are "solved". In Latin America, the proportion drops to around 50 percent, and even as low as 8 percent in some countries. 27. The regional costs of criminal violence between 2010-2014 averaged about 3.5 percent of GDP, double that of more developed regions around the world. There is quite a spread across countries ranging from 1.92 percent (Mexico) to 6.51 percent (Honduras) of GDP. 28. Criminal violence generates a massive economic cost to society. The total estimated financial burden of criminal violence is between $114.5 and $170.4 billion a year, or $300 per capita. 29. There is a strong protective effect of real GDP growth rates on homicide. A 1 percent increase in the GDP growth rate is correlated with 0.24 percent fewer homicides per 100,000. 30. Youth unemployment is consistently correlated with increases in homicidal violence: a 1 percent increase in youth unemployment is connected to a 0.34 percent increase in homicides per 100,000 people. 31. There is also a strong relationship between teenage pregnancy especially among teens in situations of concentrated disadvantage and national homicide rates. An increase in the contemporaneous teen pregnancy rate is associated with a 0.5 percent increase in the per 100,000 homicide rate. 32. Approaches to public security have oscillated between tough on crime and more preventive approaches, with citizen security gaining ground over the past two decades. 33. The first documented citizen security program was in Colombia Cali, Bogota and Medellin in 1998. The first initiative to adopt an epidemiological approach to violence prevention in the region was the DESEPAZ intervention in Cali. 34. Spending on citizen security has grown over the past 25 years, amounting to at least $6-7 billion in total from 1998 to the present. Multilateral and bilateral donors account for more than 70 percent of all investment. 35. Among multilateral investors to Latin America, the Inter-American Development Bank has been the principal investor over the past two decades. Other key partners include CAF, the World Bank, UNDP, UNODC and the OAS. 36. Year on year bilateral investment in citizen security peaked in 2009 and declined over the past half-decade due to Latin America's middle income status, though the US, Spain, German, the EU and Canada remain active. 37. Although the US has increasingly adopted citizen security priorities in its aid programs, it is still primarily devoted to conventional counter-narcotics and anti-gang programs. 38. The US committed more than $10 billion toward countries such as Mexico, Central America, Colombia and the Andean region from 2000 to the present including Plan Colombia, the Merida Initiative, CARSI and CSBI. 39. There are at least 1,300 documented citizen security programs and projects undertaken in Latin America since the late 1990s. There is a heavy concentration of citizen security measures in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. 40. Roughly 50 percent of all citizen security measures are national programs, while the rest are stateand city-level, or regional activities. 41. More than 50 percent of all registered citizen security measures are focused on addressing common crime, while the others focus on juvenile crime and sexual violence reduction. 42. Very few citizen security initiatives have been assessed an estimated 7 percent of all documented interventions have been subjected to a scientific impact evaluation. 43. Some of the most effective interventions have been pursued in Colombia: in Cali (1993-94) and Bogota (1995-97) enforced ban on carrying firearms on weekends, paydays and holidays reduced violence in both cities by almost 15 percent. 44. A succession of comprehensive social urban and citizen security measures in Medellin helped drop the homicide rate from 266 per 100,000 in 1991 to 30 per 100,000 by 2015. 45. Also in Colombia, Plan Cuadrantes which supported problem-oriented and community policing resulted in an 18 percent drop in homicide, a 11 percent decline in assault and a 22 percent decline in car thefts where applied. 46. In Brazil, comprehensive citizen security programs generated returns including in Sao Paulo (homicide rates declined by 70 percent from the late 1990s to 2010), Rio de Janeiro (homicide declined by 65 percent from 2009-2013), and also Belo Horizonte and Recife. 47. In Mexico, Todos Somos Juarez a comprehensive citizen security program contributed to a 70 percent drop in homicide from a high of 273 per 100,000 in 2010 to 42 per 100,000 by 2014. 48. Generating reliable comparative data on criminal violence and citizen security outcomes is challenging due to a lack of common standards and capacity. 49. Crime is also heavily under-reported in Latin America because citizens have low confidence in the police. On average roughly 30 percent of Latin Americans express trust in their police. 50. A regional effort the standard regional system for citizen security and violence prevention (SES) tracks 22 indicators and now includes over 20 countries. It was supported by IADB and the Cisalva Institute. Details: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Igarape Institute, 2018. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 11, 2019 at: https://igarape.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Citizen-Security-in-Latin-America-Facts-and-Figures.pdf?utm_campaign=2018_newsletter_10&utm_medium=email&utm_source=RD+Station Year: 2018 Country: Latin America URL: https://igarape.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Citizen-Security-in-Latin-America-Facts-and-Figures.pdf?utm_campaign=2018_newsletter_10&utm_medium=email&utm_source=RD+Station Shelf Number: 154135 Keywords: Caribbean Central America Citizen Security Corruption Criminal Violence Data-Driven Policing Firearm-Related Homicides Homicide Rate Latin America Safety Security South America Teenage Pregnancy Victimization |
Author: Velasquez, Daniel Title: I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: The Effect of Crime News Coverage on Crime Perception and Trust Summary: Crime perception has increased in Peru in recent years, as in other developing and developed countries, in spite of the reduction in crime victimization figures. Our hypothesis is that the news industry is in part responsible for such developments. Using a novel database of written news, we identify short-term deviations from the long-term trend in the coverage of crime news at the province level and estimate the effect of news media on crime perception. We measure coverage as a function of the area an article occupies in cm2. Peruvians are great consumers of written news. For instance, Trome, a Peruvian gazette, is the most read Spanish-language newspaper in the world. We find that a spike of negative crime news increases people's perception about the probability of being a crime victim. We find the opposite for positive crime news. However, the effect per cm2 of negative news is more than three times larger than the effect of positive news in absolute value, signaling a potential asymmetry in the revision of people's expectations. We show that these changes in perception are smaller for recent crime victims than for non-victims and that women's perception is less sensitive to positive crime news. We also explore how these perception changes are transmitted to the political landscape and how individuals distribute accountability and reward between different political institutions. Details: Bonn: Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), 2019. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: IZA Discussion Paper Series No. 12056: Accessed February 18, 2019 at: http://ftp.iza.org/dp12056.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Peru URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp12056.pdf Shelf Number: 154639 Keywords: Crime and the Media Crime News Fear of Crime Mass Communications News Media Victimization |
Author: Gorman, Emma Title: The Causal Effects of Adolescent School Bullying Victimisation on Later Life Outcomes Summary: We use rich data on a cohort of English adolescents to analyse the long-term effects of experiencing bullying victimisation in junior high school. The data contain self-reports of five types of bullying and their frequency, for three waves of the data, when the pupils were aged 13 to 16 years. Using a variety of estimation strategies - least squares, matching, inverse probability weighting, and instrumental variables - we assess the effects of bullying victimisation on short- and long-term outcomes, including educational achievements, earnings, and mental ill-health at age 25 years. We handle potential measurement error in the child self-reports of bullying type and frequency by instrumenting with corresponding parental cross-reports. Using a detailed longitudinal survey linked to administrative data, we control for many of the determinants of bullying victimisation and child outcomes identified in previous literature, paired with comprehensive sensitivity analyses to assess the potential role of unobserved variables. The pattern of results strongly suggests that there are important long run effects on victims - stronger than correlation analysis would otherwise suggest. In particular, we find that both type of bullying and its intensity matters for long run outcomes. Details: Bonn, Germany: Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), 2019. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Discussion Paper Series No. 12241 Accessed May 2, 2019 at: http://ftp.iza.org/dp12241.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp12241.pdf Shelf Number: 155613 Keywords: Bullying School Bullying School Crime Victimization |
Author: New Zealand Ministry of Justice Title: New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey: Key Findings Cycle 1 Summary: This report provides detailed insights and analysis of the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) results. It extends the topline report released in December 2018. The report contains mostly descriptive statistics. It does not include analysis of relationships between variables. Details: Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Justice Crime and Victims Survey, 2019. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 28, 2019 at: https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/NZCVS-A4-KeyFindings-2018-fin-v1.1.pdf Year: 2019 Country: New Zealand URL: https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/research-data/nzcvs/resources-and-results/ Shelf Number: 156083 Keywords: Crime Survey Family Violence Households Victimized New Zealand Reported Crime Victim Survey VictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Piispa, Minna Title: Turvallisuuden kokemukset vastaanottokeskuksissa (Security experience reception centers) Summary: IMMIGRANTS, ASYLUM SEEKERS AND CRIMINALITY: A citizen of a foreign country who was born abroad and speaks some other language than Finnish as his or her native language but who is habitually resident in Finland is considered an immigrant in Finland. The majority of immigrants in Finland originate from areas that are culturally relatively close to Finland. The number of foreign citizens and immigrants has strongly increased in Finland in the 2000s. In 2015, the share of foreign citizens of the population living in Finland was around four per cent. The number of foreign citizens seeking international protection in Finland increased during the autumn 2015 in an unprecedented way. The majority of asylum seekers came from Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. The situation posed a number of challenges to the authorities, and new reception centres had to be founded at a brisk pace. Generally speaking, the number of offences committed by foreigners and immigrants is approximately at the same level as the number of offences committed by Finnish people. The amount of international organised crime has remained relatively low compared to many other EU countries. Offences committed by asylum seekers have given rise to a lot of public discussion. Most violent crimes committed by asylum seekers have been directed at other asylum seekers. The share of foreigners among persons suspected of sexual offences is relatively high, which is partly explained by the high share of young men among this population group. The risk of an immigrant to become a victim of a crime is higher than that of a native Finn. The relative share of foreigners among crime victims is also higher than the share of Finns. Asylum seekers are often involved in different kinds of conflicts at reception centres, where the atmosphere may be very tense. It is likely that many asylum seekers who become a victim of a crime do not report the crime to the authorities, for example because they do not trust the authorities or because they do not know whether a certain act constitutes an offence in the first place. Details: Valtioneuvosto, Finland: Ministry of Justice, Criminal Policy Department, 2017. 62p. Source: Internet Resource (In Finnish): Accessed May 30, 2019 at: https://rikoksentorjunta.fi/documents/5235988/5514049/2017-2+Turvallisuuden+kokemukset+vastaanottokeskuksissa/ab47a366-c330-45c4-9218-f56e47cbaf9e/2017-2+Turvallisuuden+kokemukset+vastaanottokeskuksissa.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Finland URL: https://rikoksentorjunta.fi/en/challenges-arising-from-migration-situation Shelf Number: 156080 Keywords: Asylum Seekers Finland Immigrants Immigration Victimization |
Author: Warnken, Heather Title: Who Experiences Violent Victimization and Who Accesses Services?: Findings from the National Crime Victimization Survey for Expanding our Reach Summary: The purpose of this research is to identify groups of persons at high risk for serious violent victimization to help inform how victim services and assistance can be targeted to victims of greatest need. Disparities in risk and use of victim services are examined using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) - the nation's primary source of statistical information on criminal victimization. Group characteristics such as gender, race and ethnicity, and low income status are considered, as are other factors that can help identify who is most likely to experience serious nonlethal violent victimization and who currently accesses victim services. The report describes trends in victimization and victim service use over time, as well as patterns for the most recent time period. This information can inform the victim assistance, criminal justice, and broader public health community in key funding and policy decisions affecting the lives of crime victims and front line practitioners across the country, at a time when historic funding levels and increased flexibility in the use of victim assistance dollars make data-informed strategies as critical as ever. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Center for Victim Research, 2019. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2019 at: https://ncvc.dspacedirect.org/handle/20.500.11990/1230 Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://ncvc.dspacedirect.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11990/1230/CVR%20Article_Who%20Experiences%20Violent%20Victimization%20and%20Who%20Accesses%20Services.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Shelf Number: 156822 Keywords: National Crime Victimization SurveyPublic HealthVictim ServicesVictimizationVictims of CrimeViolent Victimization |
Author: Lietonen, Anni Title: The Costs of Assisting Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings: A Pilot Study of Services Provided in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania Summary: Human trafficking is a serious crime, and causes severe consequences for victims. Because of the often very traumatic exploitation and abuse involved, victims may need specialized assistance to recover from their experiences, and victim assistance requires the participation of health, social and/or legal sectors of society. This research focused on the types of services provided to victims of human trafficking in the three Baltic countries, the costs associated with such services, and the role of non-governmental organisations and municipalities in supporting victims. Increasing the understanding of the direct costs of assisting victims of trafficking aims to increase the understanding of the problem of trafficking among state and municipal actors, as well as increase awareness of the financial impact of trafficking on victims, service providers and the state. The study was a first attempt to map the costs of trafficking in the three Baltic countries. The pilot nature of this study required the development of specific research tools and methodology, all of which are included in the report. Details: Helsinki, Finland: European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI), 2017. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 31, 2019 at: https://www.cbss.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Cost_calculation_report.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Europe URL: https://www.heuni.fi/en/index/tiedotteet/2017/12/newpublicationbyheunionthecostsofassistingvictimsoftraffickinginhumanbeings.html Shelf Number: 156121 Keywords: Cost Assessment Estonia Exploited Persons Human Smuggling Human Trafficking Latvia Lithuania Victim Assistance Victim Services Victimization |
Author: Karsna, Kairika Title: Improving Understanding of the Scale and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse: Characteristics and Experiences of Children and Young People Attending Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Greater Manchester Summary: This report brings together evidence collected from the case files of children and young people aged 0-17 attending Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Greater Manchester for a forensic medical examination following disclosure or suspicion of sexual abuse. The data relates to all 986 forensic medical examinations of under-18s living in the Greater Manchester area who accessed the service between April 2012 and March 2015. Data was retrospectively extracted from the paper case file of each 'service user', including background and demographic data about them, the route by which they were referred to the SARC, the nature of the child sexual abuse (CSA) reported to have taken place, and the people suspected of committing it. The choice of data extracted was based on the 'data collection template', a core dataset developed by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) to standardise and improve agencies' recording of data about CSA. This case study formed part of the pilot of the data collection template; its aim was to explore the value and practicability for agencies of collecting core data systematically about the nature of CSA, the people involved in and affected by it, and associated services. Although the data here was collected from existing records, the study serves to demonstrate what other agencies could collect and report if they adopted the data collection template as part of routine practice. Established in 1986, Saint Mary's SARC is the UK's largest single-centre SARC. It was the first of its kind, developed to provide high-quality medical examinations in a designated and specialised space for men, women and children who had experienced sexual assault. The findings generated through the study have wider relevance because they represent the experiences of a large number of children for whom there were concerns about sexual abuse. It is important to emphasise, however, that they are not representative of CSA in other settings or locations. The vast majority of victims of CSA do not disclose their abuse and are not identified by professionals, and many of those who are identified do not attend a SARC. Furthermore, medical examinations of children at a SARC are provided following disclosure or suspicion of contact sexual abuse; experiences of non-contact CSA are, therefore, not represented in the study. Details: S.L.: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2019. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 31, 2019 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/scale-and-nature-of-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/ Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/scale-and-nature-of-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/st-marys-case-file-review/ Shelf Number: 156127 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultVictim AssistanceVictim ServicesVictimization |
Author: Matevzic, Grusa Title: Unidentified and Unattended: The Response of Eastern EU Member States to the Special Needs of Torture Survivor and Traumatised Asylum Seekers Summary: This study looks into how relevant provisions of the Recast Reception Conditions Directive and the Recast Asylum Procedures Directive regarding the protection of victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers are transposed into national legislation of the following Eastern EU Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. The main findings of the study, which is based on a standardised questionnaire filled in by the national researchers, are the following: -EU legislation, in general, provides sufficient guarantees for victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers. The reason why vulnerable asylum seekers are not being identified and treated in some of the focused countries therefore lies either in the lack of or improper transposition of the Directives' provisions or in the lack of actual implementation in practice. -In all focus countries victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers are considered vulnerable, however their special needs are not properly addressed in most of the countries. -This is primarily due to the fact that an early identification mechanism either does not exist or is not adequate and victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers remain unidentified. A regularisation of this procedure is needed in order to make the use of the identification procedure adequate and mandatory for every single asylum seeker. -Statistics on victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers are rarely collected. Such paucity in the collation of data is regrettable since it would enable Member States to better match service provision capacities with the actual number of beneficiaries. Statistics on referrals to specialists of pre-identified victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers are also an important monitoring tool as to whether the early identification mechanism is functional in practice. -Despite the fact that legislation in all focused countries provides certain safeguards for the reception of persons with special needs, the findings show that this right is severely obstructed in countries where appropriate reception centres are lacking. -Serious obstacles in accessing mental health services exist in some of the countries, even in countries where entitlement to health care for asylum seekers is equal to those of nationals. Obstacles were reported mainly in terms of access, translation and under-funding or non-sustainable funding. -Lack of training on needs of victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers was identified, especially for the judiciary, interpreters, social workers and detention officials. The training of asylum officials is lacking in countries where there is a big increase or rotation of staff. Asylum officers, lawyers and judges should also be trained on credibility assessment in asylum procedures, particularly on the fact that the state of health or psychological condition of the applicant can be a reason for any incoherencies and contradictions in the applicant's statements. Additional procedural guarantees such as the possibility to postpone the interview, the presence of family members, a psychiatrist or psychologist at the interview, if agreed by the applicant and if it is in his/her best interest, as well as an appropriate place for the interview to take place and avoidance of unnecessary repeated questioning about the traumatic events, should be guaranteed in all Member States. -The use of medical reports on past persecution or serious harm drafted in line with the Istanbul Protocol is not that common in the focus countries and reports written by specialised NGOs are not always given adequate evidential weight. -Vulnerable asylum seekers are not excluded from accelerated and border procedures in all focus countries. -The prioritised assessment of victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers' applications is the case in very few countries. -Half of the countries involved in the study still detain victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers. An early identification mechanism is not used before ordering detention. Mental health services provided in detention are lacking or are not of adequate quality and interpretation is also an issue. -Many crucial services, such as early identification, mental health services and rehabilitation for victims of torture/traumatised asylum seekers are outsourced to NGOs. While this has a positive element since NGOs are specialised in providing such services, NGOs work is usually project based and lacks sustainable funding. When outsourcing such services, the States should therefore provide sustainable funding, which should not be project-based, ensuring that these crucial basic services are available without interruption. Despite all the gaps and shortcomings identified, research has revealed important good practices as well, in particular (but not exclusively) in Poland and Slovenia. For example: -In Poland an early identification mechanism is considered as a contractual obligation of the private medical facility that coordinates medical care for all asylum seekers and in Slovenia, besides the early identification performed during the first medical check, the Standard Operating Procedures for victims of gender based violence were adopted and they are also applied to any other vulnerable person. -In both countries medical and psychological care, including interpretation, are available in all reception centres in the countries. -In Poland the training takes place when the asylum officer is admitted to work, consequently all the officials are trained on how to deal with vulnerable groups and in Slovenia social workers are trained on a monthly basis. -In both countries cases of vulnerable asylum seekers are prioritised. -Special teams for the prevention of violence in reception centres in Poland exist alongside detailed safeguards in Polish legislation for the asylum interview of vulnerable asylum seekers. -Lastly, in Slovenia financial support for private accommodation if accommodation in the reception centre or in the alternative centres is not appropriate for a particular person also deserves special mention. Details: Budapest, Hungary: Hungarian Helsinki Committee, 2017. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 31, 2019 at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59b155744.html Year: 2017 Country: Europe URL: https://www.refworld.org/publisher,HHC,,SVN,,,0.html Shelf Number: 156133 Keywords: Asylum Seekers Europe Mental Health Torture Trauma Victim Assistance Victim Services Victimization |
Author: Hestia Title: Underground Lives: Male Victims of Modern Slavery Summary: 54% of men had slept rough after escaping from modern slavery. 50% of men had spent time in prison or in detention before being identified as a potential victim of modern slavery. Where detail was provided the reason was related to the victims' exploitation. 47% of men had no living family. 92% of men displayed a range of mental health issues yet less than half of those had accessed mental health support. Details: London: Hestia, 2018. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 10, 2019 at: https://www.antislaverycommissioner.co.uk/media/1247/male-victims-of-modern-slavery.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.hestia.org/undergroundlives Shelf Number: 156359 Keywords: Exploited Labor Forced Labor Mental Health Modern Day Slavery Modern Slavery Prion Victimization |
Author: Singer, Mendel Title: Cost Savings and Cost Effectiveness of the Cuyahoga County Sexual Assault Kit Task Force Summary: Key Findings: From the 4,347 SAKs tested as of January 1, 2016, we project a total of 1,290 indictments and 948 convictions, which represent 21.8% of all tested SAKs - a rate much higher than previously expected and higher than most other jurisdictions testing their unsubmitted SAKs. -The total tangible and intangible costs to the victims associated with the unsubmitted SAKs tested as of January 1, 2016 is $885.8 million dollars. -The total cost of testing and investigating the unsubmitted SAKs is estimated to be $9.6 million dollars. -The total cost of future sexual assaults averted due to the SAK Task Force as of January 1, 2016 is $48.3 million dollars. -Therefore, the SAK Task Force is projected to produce a net savings of $38.7 million dollars to the community in addition to 1,290 indictments and 948 convictions of sexual offenders. Details: Cleveland, Ohio: Case Western Reserve University, 2016. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 18, 2019 at: https://www.evawintl.org/Library/DocumentLibraryHandler.ashx?id=1145 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.evawintl.org/Library/Detail.aspx?ItemID=1145 Shelf Number: 156476 Keywords: Cost of Crime Rape Sexual Assault Sexual Offenders Victim Assistance Victimization |
Author: Te Uepu Hapai i te Ora - Safe and Effective Advisory Group Title: He Waka Roimata: Transforming our Criminal Justice System Summary: The purpose of the Advisory Group is to engage in a public conversation about what people in New Zealand want from their criminal justice system and to canvass a range of ideas about how the criminal justice system can be improved. The members are the Hon Chester Borrows QSO, Dr Jarrod Gilbert, Quentin Hix, Dr Carwyn Jones, Professor Tracey McIntosh, Ruth Money, Shila Nair, Julia Amua Whaipooti and Dr Warren Young QSO. Details: New Zealand: Te Uepu Hapai i te Ora - Safe and Effective Advisory Group, 2019. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2019 at: https://www.safeandeffectivejustice.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/fa55462d44/teuepureport_hewakaroimata.pdf Year: 2019 Country: New Zealand URL: https://apo.org.au/node/240581 Shelf Number: 156534 Keywords: Alcohol Abuse Criminal Justice Reform Drug Abuse Family Violence Mental Health New Zealand Sexual Violence Social Justice Victimization |
Author: Northern Ireland. Department of Justice Title: Northern Ireland Safe Community Survey: Fraud and Cyber Crime Summary: The purpose of this note is to advise users that DoJ intends to explore the potential of, and demand for, including fraud and cyber crime within the main victimisation estimates derived from the survey. Details: Belfast: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, Analytical Services Group, 2019. 10p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2019 at: https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/justice/ni-community-safety-survey-fraud-cyber-crime.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/justice/ni-community-safety-survey-fraud-cyber-crime.pdf Shelf Number: 156696 Keywords: Crime Statistics Cybercrime Fraud VictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Berthelot, Emily R. Title: Person or Place? A Contextual, Event History Analysis of Homicide Victimization Risk: Final Summary Overview Summary: This research is a contextual event-history analysis of homicide victimization risk in the United States. It contributes to the literature by examining risk factors for homicide victimization at individual and neighborhood levels using data from the National Health Interview Survey (2004-2012), National Death Index, and American Community Survey (2005-2009, 2008-2012). Research questions include: "what are the effects of characteristics of the neighborhood on the risk of homicide victimization net of individual characteristics?" and "how do individual factors (such as age, sex, race, immigrant status, level of education, employment status, marital status, dependent children, military experience, health insurance, etc.) condition the effects of neighborhood-level factors (such as collective disadvantage, social structure, and race-specific urban composition) on the risk of homicide victimization?" The primary substantive contribution of this research is also to investigate whether the influence of the neighborhood environment or a person's own demographic and social characteristics, along with the type of lifestyle that persons with those characteristics may lead, plays a larger role in the risk that a person has of being a homicide victim. Results indicate that blacks with low income and blacks in socially disorganized neighborhoods experience increased risk for homicide victimization. Additionally, there is a clear problem with race-based income inequality in the United States as low income blacks are significantly more likely to be killed. Particular attention should also be paid to the southern and western regions of the United States, as risk of homicide is substantially higher in these regions. The findings from this research may be useful regarding the establishment of targeted community programs with the goal of prevention of homicide victimization. A main limitation of this study is the age of the data. Future research should examine more recent homicide data. Details: Reno, Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno, 2019. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 27, 2019 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/252940.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/NACJD/studies/37079/variables Shelf Number: 156720 Keywords: Homicide Murder Risk Factors Social Disorganization Systemic Racism Victimization |
Author: Margulies, Lisa Title: An Analysis of Florida's Criminal Punishment Code Summary: For over 20 years, the Criminal Punishment Code (CPC) has guided decision-making on criminal sentencing in Florida. Florida implemented the CPC in 1998 to ensure unbiased, uniform, and proportional sentencing decisions. While rehabilitation is considered a goal of the CPC, the primary purpose of sentencing, as articulated in Florida statute, is punishment. Until recently, the CPC has undergone little analysis or assessment to understand its impact on Florida's prison and jail populations. With greater attention on Florida's sizeable prison population, the continued decline in crime rates statewide, and an abundance of research showing the harmful effects of long periods of incarceration on crime, recidivism, and rehabilitation, policymakers have begun to focus on the role and impact of the CPC. The Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) conducted this analysis to understand the CPC's impact on prison sentences and lengths of incarceration. The CPC uses a complex formula that considers a number of factors related to the seriousness of the offense, aggravating circumstances, and prior criminal history. The final CPC score translates to a variety of outcomes: a required state prison sentence for cases exceeding 44 points, absent departure; a range of sanctions, including state prison, for those cases scoring greater than 22 and up to 44 points; and non-state prison sanctions, with some exceptions, for those cases scoring below 22 points. This analysis focuses primarily on scoresheets receiving score totals from 22 to 44 points because this group represents a significant portion of overall CPC scoresheets in FY 2018 and the court has broad sentencing discretion in this range. Therefore, this particular category presents the opportunity to analyze variability in sentencing decisions over a large number of cases. CJI's analysis of the data in Florida arrived at five key findings for FY 2018: - Individuals with point totals in the 22 to 44 point range accounted for an estimated 4,500 admissions to prison, or more than 15 percent of overall admissions, in FY 2018; - The severity of a primary offense in the CPC scoresheet does not correlate with the likelihood of a prison sentence within the 22 to 44 point group; - The likelihood of a prison sanction for cases receiving 22 to 44 points varies dramatically by judicial circuit and county; - Sentences in Florida significantly exceed the minimum required prison sentence within the 22 to 44 point group; and - Exceeding the 44-point threshold drastically increases the likelihood of a prison sanction. Since the implementation of the CPC in 1998, volumes of criminological research suggest that treatment and supervision, as opposed to incarceration, have a greater impact on reducing recidivism and victimization, and that public safety can be protected while reducing prison populations. Specifically, this body of research demonstrates that incarceration is not a panacea to public safety concerns and, in many cases, may actually contribute to crime. Florida's sentencing policy has not changed for decades despite research indicating it may not be providing the public safety benefits envisioned, and, in fact, its emphasis on punishment may be in conflict with best practice for recidivism reduction. Moreover, the intended goals of the CPC, including proportionality, fairness, and economy, have proven to be elusive. CJI's analysis shows an objective and a quantifiable basis for Florida to revisit the CPC's structure and limitations and to reconsider its goals with a clearer understanding of effective and efficient criminal sentencing policy. CJI recommends that Florida consider the following policy changes: - Rely on two primary factors in determining a sentence: criminal history and seriousness of current offense; - Use a recommended sentence range with lower and upper limits to guide judicial decisions; - Allow departure from a recommended range only on findings of aggravated or mitigated circumstances in writing and on the record; - Shorten sentence lengths, given that the 85 percent time‐served requirement is applied to all Florida inmates; - Implement post‐release supervision for appropriate defendants; and - Create a meaningful right of appeal to a higher court for sentences that exceed specified ranges. Details: Boston, Massachusetts: Crime and Justice Institute, 2019. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 1, 2019 at: http://www.crj.org/assets/2019/06/An-Analysis-of-Florida-CPC-June-2019.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://www.crj.org/publication/florida_cpc_analysis_2019/ Shelf Number: 157082 Keywords: Criminal History Punishment Recidivism Rehabilitation Sentencing Victimization |