Victimology Study: Understanding Victims PDF

The start of a new understanding\ As we discussed in last weeks class- this is a relatively\ new study- the study of victims.\ The first studies occurred in the mid 1900's and has\ evolved and grown since then.\ What do you think is important to 'study' when it comes\ to victims? BENJAMIN\ MENDELSO...

The start of a new understanding\ As we discussed in last weeks class- this is a relatively\ new study- the study of victims.\ The first studies occurred in the mid 1900's and has\ evolved and grown since then.\ What do you think is important to 'study' when it comes\ to victims? BENJAMIN\ MENDELSOHN\ Benjamin Mendelsohn coined the\ term "victimology" in the mid\ 1940's to describe this type of\ study.\ He was a Criminal Lawyer and\ would often interview victims in\ the course of his practice. He\ soon discovered there was a\ 'relationship' between victims and\ criminals that may have played a\ role in the crime.\ He created 6 classifications of\ victims.\ The Father of Victimology Mendelsohn's Six Victim\ Classifications\ 1. Completely Innocent- a victim who bears no responsibility at all for victimization\ 2. Victim with minor guilt- a victim who is victimized due to ignorance, a victim\ who inadvertently places themselves in harm's way (lost in wrong part of town).\ 3. Victim as guilty as offender/voluntary victim- a victim who bears as much\ responsibility as the offender (A person buying illegal drugs is robbed by dealer)\ 4. Victim more guilty than offender- a victim who instigates or provokes their\ own victimization (victim is killed by their domestic partner whom they abused for\ years).\ 5. Most guilty victim- a victim who is victimized during the perpetration of a crime\ or as a result of a crime (a robber is killed by the store owner).\ 6. Simulating or imaginary victim- a victim who is not victimized at all but,\ instead, fabricates an event.\ Daigle, L. 2018 Hans von Hentig\ Hans von Hentig, also recognized there\ was a link between offender and victim.\ He looked at the offender/victim\ 'relationship', not in isolation of one\ another, but together.\ He considered that victims may provoke\ victimizations. As such, he developed 13\ categories based on their likelihood for\ victimization.\ Daigle, L. 2018 Hans von Hentig's\ 13 Categories\ 1. Young\ 2. Female\ 3. Old\ 4. Immigrants\ 5. Minorities\ 6. Dull normals\ 7. Mentally defective/deranged\ 8. Depressed\ 9. Wanton\ 10. The acquisitive\ 11. The lonesome and heartbroken\ 12. Tormentor\ 13. The blocked, exempted, and fighting\ Daigle, L. 2018\ May be victimized because of ignorance or risk taking,\ taken advantage of\ Likely to be victimized due to their social status and\ inability to activate assistance in the community.\ May have placed themselves in situations\ which they do no recognize danger because\ of their metal state, their sadness or desire\ for companionship, or their greed\ People who provoke their own victimization by using violence or\ aggression Victims who are enmeshed in poor\ decisions and unable to defend theselves.\ May not recognize or appropriately respond to\ threats. Marvin Wolfgang\ He was the first researcher to\ explore victim precipitation.\ He was well known for his study of\ homicides occurring in Philadelphia\ and what role the victim played in\ their own death.\ He developed the "victim\ precipitation" theory- that victims\ have a role of responsibility for\ their victimization\ Daigle, L. 2018 Four Theories of Victimization\ 1. Victim Precipitation Theory\ Some victims may initiate the crime that happens to them\ 2. Lifestyle Theory\ Some people become victims because of their lifestyle and increased exposure to\ situations that cause them to become victims.\ 3. Deviant Place Theory\ These victims do not encourage crime, but are exposed to criminality because they\ reside or frequent in areas that are socially disorganized, high crime areas.\ 4. Routine Activities Theory\ Revolves around three main principles, "offender, a suitable target, and the\ absence of capable guardian". System What is a victim in law\ × UN Assembly (1985)- persons who, individually or collectively, have\ suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering,\ economic loss, or substantial impairment or their fundamental rights,\ through acts or omissions that are in violation of criminal laws operative\ within Member States, including those laws proscribing criminal abuse\ of power\ \*\*The UN declaration of victim rights is non-binding- it is a\ framework\ × Criminal Code- (entered in 1988) means a person against whom an\ offence has been committed, or is alleged to have been committed, who\ has suffered, or is alleged to have suffered, physical or emotional harm,\ property damage or economic loss as the result of the commission or\ alleged commission of the offence and includes, for the purposes of\ sections 672.5, 722 and 745.63, a person who has suffered physical or\ emotional harm, property damage or economic loss as the result of the\ commission of an offence against any other person. (victim)\ 672.5- Review of a disposition\ 722- Victim impact statement\ 745.63- Jury considerations for parole reduction What is a victim in law\ × Ontario Bill of Rights (1995)- a person who, as a result of\ the commission of a crime by another, suffers emotional\ or physical harm, loss of or damage to property or\ economic harm and, if the commission of the crime\ results in the death of a person, includes,\ a) a child or parent of the person\ b) a dependant or spouse of the person\ × Canadian Victim Bill of Rights (2015)- an individual who\ has suffered physical or emotional harm, property\ damage or economic loss as the result of the commission\ or alleged commission of an offence. Let's Start With Our Rights\ Section 7 - Life, liberty, and security of person\ 7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the\ person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in\ accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.\ Section 8 - Search or seizure\ 8. Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable\ search or seizure.\ Section 9 - Detention or imprisonment\ 9. Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or\ imprisoned.\ Section 10 - Arrest or detention\ 10. Everyone has the right on arrest or detention:\ a) to be informed promptly of the reasons therefor;\ b) to retain and instruct counsel without delay and to be\ informed of that right; and\ c) to have the validity of the detention determined by way\ of habeas corpus and to be released if the detention is not\ lawful. Let's Start With Our Rights\ Section 11 - Proceedings in criminal and penal matters\ 11. Any person charged with an offence has the right:\ a) to be informed without unreasonable delay of the specific\ offence;\ b) to be tried within a reasonable time;\ c)not to be compelled to be a witness in proceedings against that\ person in respect of the offence;\ d) to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law\ in a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial\ tribunal;\ ETC\ Section 12 - Treatment or punishment\ 12. Everyone has the right not to be subjected to any\ cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.\ Section 12 prohibits treatment and punishment by the state that\ are cruel and unusual. This includes torture, excessive or abusive\ use of force by law enforcement officials. Also, sentences of\ imprisonment must match the seriousness of the crime\ committed. For example, an extremely long prison sentence is\ not appropriate for a very minor crime. Let's Start With Our Rights\ Provision. 15. (1) Equality rights- Every individual is equal\ before and under the law and has the right to the equal\ protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination\ and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national\ or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical\ disability The movement\ The victims' right movement in Canada can attribute\ it's momentum from the feminist movement.\ Since the early 1980's victim organizations like Citizens\ United for Safety and Justice, and Victims of Violence\ advocated to the Government that victims' rights need\ to be cemented in legislation.\ Prepared by the\ Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime\ 2015 The Charter and the Beginning of\ Change\ Bill C-49- 1992. The "Rape Shield" Law.\ With Section 7 and 15 of the Charter being used, the Supreme\ Court of Canada recognized that there needs to be protection of\ the victim with being questioned about previous sexual history.\ It combated the "twin myth" stigma in the courts.\ Section 276 of the Criminal Code\ Bill C- 46. Third Party Records.\ Third party records are not, on the face, admissible in court.\ Testimonial Aids.\ Criminal Code of Canada and Evidence Act gives provisions for\ children and disabled during testifying.\ Victim Impact Statement- 1988 The Impact\ Being a victim of crime can be a very unsettling experience for many who\ experience being a victim of crime.\ Victimization is rarely sought out and never welcomed to those who lived\ through it.\ It can leave one feeling confused, fearful, frustrated and angry, and often\ left asking why? There can be effects of victimization that linger for years.\ 'Crime victimization is a process not an event'. Do you need to be directly\ involved in a crime to feel\ the effects? Victimization = Traumatization\ There are direct reactions that individuals will experience after being a\ victim of violence.\ This week we are going to look at the three main categories of suffering\ which are:\ × Financial\ × Physical\ × Emotional\ We will also look at the effects of trauma on children. FINANICAL IMPACT Financial Impact\ How could a victim suffer financially?\ ♣ Theft- property stolen\ ♣ Fraud -- money lost\ ♣ Mischief- Property damaged and needs to be repaired\ ♣ Break and Enter\ ϖ Time off work\ ϖ Travel for court (driving, parking, food)\ ϖ Medical expenses(short term/long term)\ ϖ Home protection system\ ϖ Funeral/burial expenses\ ϖ Counselling (not always funded) The cost of Victimization in Canada\ (2014)\ https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/\ rp-pr/jr/ccc2014/docs/\ rsd\_2023rr-costs-of-crime-\ 2014\_eng.pdf The cost of Victimization in Canada\ (2014)\ https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/\ rp-pr/jr/ccc2014/docs/\ rsd\_2023rr-costs-of-crime-\ 2014\_eng.pdf The cost of Victimization in Canada\ (2014)\ https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/\ rp-pr/jr/ccc2014/docs/\ rsd\_2023rr-costs-of-crime-\ 2014\_eng.pdf\ - The total tangible cost of crime in Canada was estimated to be \$28.7\ billion (per capita = \$807.00/year)\ - The cost to operate the Canadian Justice system (which includes police,\ courts, prosecution, legal aid, and correctional services) was \$12.5\ billion\ - The cost to direct victims of crime was \$14.0 billion (which excluded\ intangible costs).\ - Intangible costs was estimated at \$14.5 billion (pain and suffering, loss\ of life, loss of affection and enjoyment for family) How do we collect statistics?\ - Court\ - Police\ What issues can you think of about collecting only 'official\ statistics' to guide change in policy or procedure?\ - Only collected on information that is reported\ - Information may not articulate the totality of the circumstances\ - Important information may not be collected during police/court process may not be\ captured.\ Often called "official statistics" The information that is not reported or recorded during\ 'official statistics' is often called the 'dark figure of crime'.\ Sometimes it is this information is the most important for us\ to capture and it is just as important as 'official statistics'.\ This information thankfully is captured during survey's, or\ through organizations that deal with victims on a regular\ basis. General Social Survey (GSS)\ - The main objective is to better understand\ how Canadians understand crime, our justice\ system and any experience of victimization\ - The report is to present an overview of trends\ in victimization in Canada.\ - The information is used to complement\ 'official data' and provide a more wholesome\ view of crime in Canada. It is also an\ important source of information used to plan\ and implement a variety of initiatives, such a\ crime prevention programs, family violence\ programs and victim's services.\ GSS GSS\ A study completed every 5 years Statistics\ GSS Statistics\ GSS Statistics\ Rates of sexual assault were higher among 15-24 year old (103 per 1,000)\ and 25-24 year olds (50 per 1,000) than any other age groups.\ GSS Why we have learned what we have\ learned so far\... When you hear the term "trauma\ informed" what comes to mind?\ Why is this approach so important? What happens in\ trauma?\ Experts explain that during a traumatic\ event the brain is flooded with hormones\ and goes into "survival mode"\ The Broca's area speech center on the left\ side of the brain can go "off line". Meaning\ you may not be able to call for help or say\ "stop"\ Freezing is a normal response during\ traumatic events. Another normal response\ is tonic immobility and collapsed\ immobility. This is not a "choice"\ response, this is a response a victim can't\ control. What happens in\ trauma?\ The prefrontal cortex goes "off line"- this part\ of the brain is responsible for higher level\ thinking, planning, problem solving etc.\ When this part of the brain goes through\ trauma memories are not stored in a liner,\ chronological fashion.\ The fear circuitry at times will kick in and\ the prefrontal cortex beings to function less\ effectively. This means in the midst of an\ event, a victim may not be able to think\ logically through the situation nor make\ decisions that would seem rational to make in\ the circumstance.\ Why is this important to understand?\. These responses may lead a\ victim/investigator/court to ask the following?\ - Why didn't I scream? (speech centre off-line)\ - Why didn't I fight back? (freeze response)\ - Why didn't I run? (freeze response)\ - Why is my recollection of the event all over the place? (pre-\ frontal cortex shuts down) Trauma Response\ The way a victim responds both physical and mental to\ stress/trauma is heavily influenced by earlier life experiences.\ ϖ Childhood trauma may increase the likelihood of a victim\ freezing or dissociating. Trauma and the Brain\ Trauma and the Brain When should you interview?\ × It is suggested that there is 48 hour minimum wait until after a traumatic event to\ interview a victim. This is because memories are filed during sleep.\ Critical Incident Interviews\ Dr. Lewinski " The best investigators recognize the relationship between emotions,\ attention, and perception. They understand how these processes can affect encoding,\ consolidation, and ultimately, memory" (Von Klliem, 2020)\ Dr. Lewinski- "Interviewing someone who has been traumatized before they've had a\ chance to decompress not only affects the quality of memories by can actually create\ psychological injury and significantly increase the chance of long-term traumatic\ disorder" (Von Klliem, 2020)\ Von Kliem, 2020 What is the definition of Intimate\ Partner Violence?\ The World Health Organization (WHO) defines intimate partner violence as\ behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or\ psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion,\ psychological abuse and controlling behaviour. This definition covers violence by\ both current and former spouses and partners (Ontario, 2023).\ Ontario\ What are some of the key words that you need to be aware of?\ Is there an issue that you see with the definition? Durham Regional Police\ Durham Regional Police\ ♣ What did you learn from the Website?\ ♣ What is the statistics from Durham?\ ♣ What are some tips they give victims?\ ♣ What are some of the community partners the site lists for support?\ ♣ Would you say this website is trauma informed? If so, why? Canadian Centre for Justice and\ Community Safety Statistics, 2022\ "Police reported data capture only those\ forms of violence that meet the criminal\ threshold and, as such, do not monitor\ emotional, psychological or financial abuse\ which are common forms of intimate\ partner violence."\ Canadian Centre for Justice and Commun\ ity Safety Statistics WHY IS THIS AN ISSUE?\ Almost two thirds of spousal violence victims (63%) had been\ victimized more than once prior to calling the police and almost half\ of these victims (28%) stated they had been victimized more than\ ten times before contacting the police (Canada, 2021).\ Less than one quarter of spousal violence victims report that\ violence to police. Only 22% of intimate partner violence victims\ state that the police found out about the incident, not through\ themselves reporting (Canada, 2021).\ Canada. Abuse is about CONTROL\ USING INTIMIDATION- making the victim feel afraid. Can be done by\ act or gesture\ USING EMOTIONAL ABUSE- Putting the victim down, 'gas lighting',\ humiliating, guilt blaming.\ USING ISOLATION- Controlling what victim does, who they see,\ limiting association\ MINIMIZAING, DENYING, AND BLAMING- Making light of abuse,\ denying the abuse, shifting blame of abuse to victim\ USING CHILDREN- Threats to take children away/withhold children.\ Turning children against victim.\ USING MALE PRIVILEGE- Making female feel subservient\ USING ECONOMIC ABUSE -- Controlling money, withholding access to\ money\ USING COERCION/THREATS- Making threats of violence, threats of\ suicide Cycle of Violence\ Tension Building- Tension builds,\ lack of communication, victim\ becomes fearful\ Incident- Verbal, emotional and/or\ physical abuse.\ Reconciliation- Abuser apologizes, gives Human Trafficking is:\ - Forced Labour\ - Domestic Servitude\ - Sex-trade\ Human Trafficking is the world's fastest growing\ criminal enterprise. Globally 27.6 million people\ are in forced labour, according to the\ International Labour Organization. How it is defined in Canada Who do you think is at greater\ risk?\ - Women and girls\ - Indigenous women and girls\ - Individuals new to Canada\ - Victims of abuse\ - Youth living in foster care\ - Individuals facing homelessness\ - Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Sex Trafficking\ Children under the age of 18 who are induced to\ engage in a commercial sex act are considered\ victims of sex trafficking. There is no such thing\ as consent for sex work under the age of 18\ Not only does this apply to instances where\ youth are engaging in a sex act for money but\ can also include engaging in "survival" sex.\ Engaging in sex to obtain basic needs such as\ food, shelter, drugs and clothing. Risk Factors\ - The preceding risk factors are not exhaustive, and a child's\ experience with one or more of these factors is not a definite\ indication that they have been or will be trafficked. Additionally, the\ absence of these risk factors is not an indication that a child has not\ been trafficked or is not at risk of being trafficked.\ - If your agency does not require screening for trafficking in all cases,\ you can use these risk factors as an informal way of assessing risk\ and determining if additional screening or assessment is necessary. Risk Factors\ History of maltreatment at home, especially sexual abuse\ Involvement with the child welfare or juvenile justice systems\ History of running away\ Homelessness\ Financial insecurity\ Inadequate family or other relationships\ Self or familial substance use or mental health problems\ Identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer\ Unmet intangible needs (e.g., love, belonging, affection, protection)\ Low self-esteem\ Lack of identity\ A disproportionate number of victims in Ontario are Indigenous -- 50% Risk Factors\ Children who have been victims of trafficking have many needs like those of children who\ enter the child welfare system because of substantiated abuse or neglect by their parents or\ caregivers.\ Needs can include:\  Physical Health\  Behavioral and Psychological Health\  Housing\  Education\  Employment\  Legal Services\  Basic Necessities excuses, blames victim, denies the abuse\ occurred.\ Calm- The relationship is relatively calm\ and peaceable, Also known as the\ "honeymoon" phase.\ \*\*\*Chemical reactions happen\ here\*\*\* Cycle of Violence Why do victims stay? What is bias?\ "Prejudice in favour of or against one thing,\ person, or group compared with another, usually\ in a way considered to be unfair".\ "Cause to feel or show inclination or prejudice\ for or against someone or something" What is biased policing?\ Discrimination in the performances of law enforcement duties\ or deliver of police services, based on personal prejudices or\ partiality of agency personnel towards classes of people based\ on specific characteristics.\ - International Association of Chiefs of Police- IACP What are some examples?\ - Race\ - Ethnicity\ - Sexual Orientation\ - Religion\ - Culture\ - Age\ - Mental Health\ - Economic\ Status\ - Lifestyle\ - Police History\ - Trauma\ Response\ - Addiction\ - Use of\ alcohol/drugs The Oppal Inquiry\ - Robert Pickton was found guilty of\ murdering 6 women, but bragged\ about killing 49, most of these\ women were aboriginal.\ - It is believed that Pickton started\ abducting women from 1978-2001.\ - Pickton was officially linked to\ disappearances starting in 1995.\ - "There were systemic bias by the\ police"- Oppal\ - "As a system, they failed because\ of the bias. These women were\ vulnerable; they were treated as\ throwaways- unstable, unreliable.\ The women were poor, they were\ addicted, vulnerable, aboriginal.\ They did not receive equal\ treatment by police" - Oppal Missing and Missed\ Report\ - This enquiry was implemented as\ two major missing persons\ investigations were "mishandled"\ by the Toronto Police\ Department.\ - Tess Richey (missing person) and\ Bruce McArthur- who was found\ guilty of killing 8 men from\ Toronto's gay village, and the\ death of a trans women.\ - The Honorable Gloria Epstein\ chaired the 3 year long review\ and said the report and it's 151\ recommendations will "promote\ efficient, effective and bias-free\ investigations and better police\ relations with the affected\ communities" Unfounded Report\ - Bias on rape myths among law\ enforcement.\ - The report found that a majority\ of sexual assault victims were\ made up the following: young\ women, students, single women,\ who live in urban areas, are\ between 15-24, and a majority of\ reports involve alcohol. This next video may be upsetting to\ some. \- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhhzJH-vw7s&t=207s Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)\ What does this term mean to you?\ What does it mean for police officers? Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)\ Other names for it\ COMPASSION\ FATIGUE VICARIOUS TRAUMA The Reality of Your Job as a Police\ Officer\ - You are dealing (mostly) with people on their\ worst days\ - You will be hearing and seeing what the general\ public will never hear/see in a lifetime. And you\ may be seeing it multiple times.\ - You will be overexposed to trauma due to the\ nature of your job Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)\ - This is a real occupational hazard for all front line\ personnel who are continually exposed to traumatic\ events and/or victim trauma.\ - This trauma can be acute or long term; it can have an\ effect on a responders physical and mental health.\ - It can also have both negative personal and professional\ effects Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)\ - What is important to know is STS can have both:\ ¬ An emotional and,\ ¬ Behavioural response\ - What does this mean? Examples? Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)\ Examples of how this can happen:\ - Listening to victims recounting their trauma\ - Looking at videos/listening to audio tapes\ - Reviewing case files\ - Hearing about or responding to aftermath of\ violence and other traumatic events.\ - Responding to mass violence incidents\ - Unnecessarily exposing yourself to trauma (this\ includes viewing photos/reading reports) Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)\ Symptoms\ - Avoidance -- this can be both personally and\ professionally\ - Negative outlook in beliefs and feelings\ - Sleep issues\ - Withdrawal\ - Elevated (often harsh/negative) response to\ the most benign issue\ - Loss of patience, understanding\ - Isolation, anxiety, dissociation OTHER SYMPTOMS\ Administrati\ on for Childr\ en and Famil\ ies