Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice

Publisher:: Sage Publications, Inc.
Publication date:: 2021-09-06

ISBN:: 2516-6069

Issue Number

Latest documents

Patterns of Victimization and Gender: Linking Emotion, Coping, Reporting and Help-seeking
This paper aims to systematically address the differing experiences of men and women across the process of victimization and to situate the findings in terms of gendered differences in coping behaviours. The significance of gender and related emotional responses across four stages of victimization—risk, reporting to the police, service use and satisfaction—are explored via a series of logistic multi-level models of Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (n = 16,000) data, each one examining the impact of gender and emotional responses at subsequent stages in the process of victimization. Variables representing negative emotional responses to crime felt by respondents were included as proxy measures indicating poor or unsuccessful coping. These consisted of eight binary variables measuring anger, shock, fear, depression, anxiety, vulnerability, having difficulty sleeping and crying/being tearful. Findings demonstrate that men have significantly greater odds of personal crime victimization (excluding domestic and sexual violence) yet have lower odds of reporting their victimization to the police. They are also less inclined to take up victim support services than women and find services less helpful when they are in fact used. Also evident is the comparative importance of the emotional impact of crime and coping strategies on further involvement with the criminal justice system.
Patterns of Victimization and Gender: Linking Emotion, Coping, Reporting and Help-seeking
This paper aims to systematically address the differing experiences of men and women across the process of victimization and to situate the findings in terms of gendered differences in coping behaviours. The significance of gender and related emotional responses across four stages of victimization—risk, reporting to the police, service use and satisfaction—are explored via a series of logistic multi-level models of Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (n = 16,000) data, each one examining the impact of gender and emotional responses at subsequent stages in the process of victimization. Variables representing negative emotional responses to crime felt by respondents were included as proxy measures indicating poor or unsuccessful coping. These consisted of eight binary variables measuring anger, shock, fear, depression, anxiety, vulnerability, having difficulty sleeping and crying/being tearful. Findings demonstrate that men have significantly greater odds of personal crime victimization (excluding domestic and sexual violence) yet have lower odds of reporting their victimization to the police. They are also less inclined to take up victim support services than women and find services less helpful when they are in fact used. Also evident is the comparative importance of the emotional impact of crime and coping strategies on further involvement with the criminal justice system.
Testing Relationships Between Exposure to Violence and Substance Use: Comparing Cognitive and Mental Health Mediation and Integrating Propensity Score Matching
Exposure to violence has been identified as a robust risk factor for substance use. While criminological theories have also been demonstrated to be relevant for predicting this behaviour, there is limited research that compares the role that exposure to violence plays in this regard across multiple theories. There have also been issues in not accounting for pre-existing levels of mediators in specifying mechanisms underpinning these relationships. This study examines the mediating roles of cognitive and mental health variables from the dual systems model and general strain theory for explaining the exposure to violence–substance use relationship. The first four waves of the Pathways to Desistance data were analysed. Generalized structural equation modelling (GSEM) was used to test for direct and indirect effects. Propensity score matching was used to address concerns that pre-existing levels of cognitive and mental health variables may be driving mediation effects. Results indicated that exposure to violence at wave 2 was associated with increased heavy-episodic drinking and marijuana use at wave 4. Sensation-seeking at wave 3 significantly mediated both of these relationships. No other significant mediation effects were observed. Results indicate that message-framing interventions may be useful for reducing drives towards substance use behaviours stemming from violence exposure.
Testing Relationships Between Exposure to Violence and Substance Use: Comparing Cognitive and Mental Health Mediation and Integrating Propensity Score Matching
Exposure to violence has been identified as a robust risk factor for substance use. While criminological theories have also been demonstrated to be relevant for predicting this behaviour, there is limited research that compares the role that exposure to violence plays in this regard across multiple theories. There have also been issues in not accounting for pre-existing levels of mediators in specifying mechanisms underpinning these relationships. This study examines the mediating roles of cognitive and mental health variables from the dual systems model and general strain theory for explaining the exposure to violence–substance use relationship. The first four waves of the Pathways to Desistance data were analysed. Generalized structural equation modelling (GSEM) was used to test for direct and indirect effects. Propensity score matching was used to address concerns that pre-existing levels of cognitive and mental health variables may be driving mediation effects. Results indicated that exposure to violence at wave 2 was associated with increased heavy-episodic drinking and marijuana use at wave 4. Sensation-seeking at wave 3 significantly mediated both of these relationships. No other significant mediation effects were observed. Results indicate that message-framing interventions may be useful for reducing drives towards substance use behaviours stemming from violence exposure.
The Primary Prevention of Female Sexual Offending: Current Opportunities
A public health approach to the primary prevention of sexual offending has generated positive outcomes. Recent campaigns have challenged societal stereotypes of sexual offenders; changed organizational policies and increased public knowledge. However, primary prevention has largely been missing for female sexual offenders. This is because female sexual abuse has generated much less attention than its male equivalent. To introduce relevant context, this article initially presents a short literature review. This aims to critically explore the extent of the issue and what motivates relevant women. Typologies are then applied to introduce the distinctions between solo offenders and co-offenders. This distinction is utilized to consider how primary prevention could address female sexual offending. Two key themes emerge in terms of societal stereotypes and key offending spaces. The current evidence highlights the need to challenge societal norms, which minimize women’s propensity to commit sexual offences. It also appears significant to challenge stereotypes, which glorify attractive women who sexually abuse adolescent males. The opportunities within institutional spaces and the domestic setting are also considered, with deliberation to targeting relevant professionals and guardians in future primary prevention efforts.
The Primary Prevention of Female Sexual Offending: Current Opportunities
A public health approach to the primary prevention of sexual offending has generated positive outcomes. Recent campaigns have challenged societal stereotypes of sexual offenders; changed organizational policies and increased public knowledge. However, primary prevention has largely been missing for female sexual offenders. This is because female sexual abuse has generated much less attention than its male equivalent. To introduce relevant context, this article initially presents a short literature review. This aims to critically explore the extent of the issue and what motivates relevant women. Typologies are then applied to introduce the distinctions between solo offenders and co-offenders. This distinction is utilized to consider how primary prevention could address female sexual offending. Two key themes emerge in terms of societal stereotypes and key offending spaces. The current evidence highlights the need to challenge societal norms, which minimize women’s propensity to commit sexual offences. It also appears significant to challenge stereotypes, which glorify attractive women who sexually abuse adolescent males. The opportunities within institutional spaces and the domestic setting are also considered, with deliberation to targeting relevant professionals and guardians in future primary prevention efforts.
Prisoners Are Too ‘Victims’ of the Criminal Justice System. Can They Have an Idea of ‘Fair Access to Justice’?
Injustice to society is antithetic to social order. The strength of the criminal justice system comes from a cluster of police, prison and court. This article portrays the work of providing free access to socio-legal aid and socio-legal counselling services, to the marginalized undertrial prisoners who had been imprisoned for years despite the ‘due process of law’ and the lack of proper legal representation. Thus, they are too ‘victims’ of this poor criminal justice system. The prime objective of the paper is to create awareness about the free socio-legal aid services and to advocate how prisoners are too victims. The paper broadly scrutinizes the issues, problems and ill effects of the criminal justice system. Additionally, it also limns solutions that had been practically implemented and had successively brought out affirmative results and implications.
‘They Smashed the Heads of Their Victims with Grinding Stone’: Badoo Cult Gang and Victimization Experiences in Lagos State
Violent cult gangs are ubiquitous in Nigeria, with their activities threatening peace and security wherever it occurs. While there are many violent gangs in Lagos state, not all carry the appellation of violent ritual gang like the Badoo cult gang that operated in Ikorodu, Lagos State between 2016 and 2018. This study examines the victim selection strategy, victim experiences and modus operandi of this violent cult gang in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using exploratory design, which relied on in-depth interviews and other secondary sources, the study reached participants through purposive and snowball techniques. Findings showed that the neighbourhood structure permitted the gangs to kill members of many households. Working through insider information, the gang was able to observe vulnerable households and gained entrance into the victims’ residence through the window. Arising from the findings, we suggest that elements in defensible space and routine activities’ perspectives can be used to improve defensible spaces and reduce criminal victimization.
Prisoners Are Too ‘Victims’ of the Criminal Justice System. Can They Have an Idea of ‘Fair Access to Justice’?
Injustice to society is antithetic to social order. The strength of the criminal justice system comes from a cluster of police, prison and court. This article portrays the work of providing free access to socio-legal aid and socio-legal counselling services, to the marginalized undertrial prisoners who had been imprisoned for years despite the ‘due process of law’ and the lack of proper legal representation. Thus, they are too ‘victims’ of this poor criminal justice system. The prime objective of the paper is to create awareness about the free socio-legal aid services and to advocate how prisoners are too victims. The paper broadly scrutinizes the issues, problems and ill effects of the criminal justice system. Additionally, it also limns solutions that had been practically implemented and had successively brought out affirmative results and implications.
Exploring the Potentials of Restorative Justice Mechanisms (SOTP AND COSA) in Treating Child Sexual Offenders in India
For most restorative justice (RJ) promoters, RJ is consequentialist, philosophical, methodological and political. The efficiency and success of RJ can be drawn from the person’s ability to judge and act (act of regret). Treatment of offenders and their participation to a great extent determines the viability of reducing child sexual abuses (CSA). Programmes such as Sex Offender’s Treatment Programme (SOTP) and Centre for Support and Accountability (COSA) in CANADA, the United Kingdom and the United States of America have proved to be effective in reducing offences of sexual abuse. The programmes focus on accountability, shaming harm and rehabilitation of the offenders, mostly without involving the child victim in the process. A critical question, as to what extent the standards of RJ and international mechanism would be attained in cases of sexual offences against children, considering the nature of offences and the tender age of victim, arises. The objective of this article is to explore the potentials of applying RJ mechanism to cases of CSA in India, keeping in mind the consequentialist and methodological nature of ‘RJ’. The researcher tried to assess RJ responses to CSA and the role of criminal justice professionals in implementing and monitoring RJ processes in cases of child sexual offenses. The research methodology used was doctrinal, and sources of data collection were secondary sources.