Training on Victimology - Assignment Example

Training on Victimology Project It is the purpose of this document to equip and train personnel chosen for a special victim’s assistance unit with the tools and knowledge they will need. Training will be developed in Victimology and victimization for both sworn and civilian personnel. Victimology involves the study of the psychological effects experienced by those who have been victimized and the application of this knowledge in assisting and providing support for those who have been victimized. Overview of Victimology Victimology is concerned with determining why certain people are victims of crime and what lifestyle factors affect the predisposition of certain segments of the population to victimization (Dillenburger, 2007, p 433). Victimology also involves the study of those who victimize others; rapists, partners who are considered batterers, molesters of minors, terrorist, gang related crimes, armed robbery and those who commit hate crimes. Victimology also identifies groups considered more vulnerable than others to victimization and attempts to create profiles and patterns that those assigned to special victim’s assistance units can use to better respond to and anticipate the needs of the victim. Special Populations The National Institute of Justice has identified certain populations who may be targeted by those who perpetrate crime due to their membership in certain groups or because of their particular characteristics (National Institute of Justice, 2011). These populations were identified as: Children Immigrants Intimate Partners Victims Subject to Hate Crimes Elderly Members of the Community Woman Other populations who frequently experience victimization are: Transgendered Individuals The Homeless The Disabled Culturally based victimization can include: Female genitalia mutilation Human trafficking Gang violence Identifying factors which make certain populations more frequents targets of victimization may also lead to the identification of factors that can protect people from victimization. Known factors across all population groups are low socio-economic status, single parent households, gang involvement, drug use, race and gender. Police Response A thorough and complete Victimology is imperative in any investigation. This will give the Officer or member of a victim’s assistance unit an understanding of the victim; his/her background, occupation, where he comes from, and knowing these facts will help in the process of determining why he/she was victimized and by whom. It is important to gather as much information as possible in the initial stages and immediately following the victimization from the victim and any witnesses. Information should be documented concerning injuries, usual habits, and interests will give the investigator a clearer understanding of the victim. This has been the usual practice and policy of those responding to reports of victimization. Further and in depth Victimology training has been shown to provide several benefits. The perception of the victim greatly influences the treatment of the victim (Fox, and Cook, 2011, p3408). Perceptions of victims as blameworthy will affect the priority the victim is given and the provision of services and resources offered. Victims who perceive the criminal justice system as non-responsive or blaming are less likely to report their victimization. Those who feel blamed for their victimization may go on to experience psychological trauma including embarrassment, shame, guilt, anger, anxiety and depression. Police reaction to victimization, especially among special populations has been research and evidence based training programs that police and victim’s assistance unit’s civilians must complete. One of the most important decisions a victim will make is whether or not to report the crime; studies suggest that those who choose to report being victimized are the true mainstays and gatekeepers of the criminal justice system (Stephens, 2008, p 225). Despite this research and statistics show that only about one half of victimizations are actually reported. This being the case it is especially crucial that victim response or assistance units, and police have adequate and effective training in dealing with those victims who do report victimization. There is a strong correlation with the severity of a crime and the likelihood that it is reported. With these statistics a form of policing known as community orientated policing is used with the basic goal of building a solid level of trust between police and residents so that potential and those already existing problems can be identified and solved with cooperation. Community policing places emphasis on two objectives, transforming police organizational structures and creating strong partnerships between the public and the police. Transforming traditional organizational structures has led to increasing police focus on the importance of the community as a whole, linking police with services through other organizations, while requiring agencies to develop and implement a versatile police role that extends beyond traditional law enforcement. This is where specific and special training comes in that involves Victimology and victimization and how to respond to special victims as identified earlier. Traditional response overall to victimization includes police and citizens working cooperatively in order to reduce crime in neighborhoods. This may be through the use of extra patrols in communities, neighborhood watch programs, and anonymous reporting of criminal activities within the community by community members. Some argue that this approach works more towards building communities which prevent crime than addressing the needs of those who are victims of crime. Because of this there is a need for special training of Officers and civilians in handling special victim’s populations. Through the use of known data about these populations we are better able to apply appropriate methods in responding to these victim’s needs. Training Program A special development curriculum was designed for law enforcement and those working with victims through law enforcement by the California Governor’s Office of Law Enforcement and Victim Services Division in 2008 (Muscat, 2008, p 7). This curriculum was in direct response to a survey taken on law enforcement in areas such as knowledge needs, academic needs, and education. A curriculum for possible training programs was outlined through the use of this data. Victimology History and background of the Victim’s rights movement (Office of Justice Programs, 2012) Victim’s rights Rates and measurements of victimizations (Truman, PhD, & Planty, PhD, 2012) Theories of victimization- Victim precipitation ,Lifestyle, Routine activity theory (Washington State University, 2012) Luckenbill’s situated transaction model, Benjamin and Masters, threefold model, Cohen and Felsen routine activities theory Victim typologies- Primary crime victims, secondary crime victims, tertiary crime victims, survivors Financial Remedies- (Eddy, 2012) Restorative Justice (Dungdung, 2011) Victim Services Sources of financial assistance for victims Legal rights International victimization Specific victims-children, immigrants, intimate partners, victims of hate crimes, elderly victims, woman Diverse victims Understanding and working the media Assessment skills Basic advocacy Referrals to other community services Establishing partnerships with community programs This outline provides a strong foundation in developing a training program for officers and civilian’s assigned to a special victim’s assistance unit. Victimization of various populations References Dillenburger, K. (2007). A Behavior Analytic Perspective on Victimology. International Journal Of Behavioral Consultation And Therapy, 3(3), 433-448. Available at http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ801233.pdf National Institute of Justice. (2011). Specific Populations as Victims. National Institute of Justice. Retrieved October 27, 2012, from http://nij.gov/nij/topics/victims-victimization/specific-populations.htm Kathleen A.Fox, & a Carrie L.Cook. (2011). Is knowledge power? the effects of a victimology course on victim blaming. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(17), 3407-3427. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260511403752 Stephen, M. S. (2008). The influence of community-oriented policing on crime-reporting behavior. Justice Quarterly : JQ,25(2), 223. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/228207689?accountid=3783 Muscat, B. (2008). Working with victims: A professional development curriculum for law enforcement. Journal of California Law Enforcement, 42(2), 7-16. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/199144211?accountid=3783 Office of Justice Programs. (2012). Rights of Victims. National Institute of Justice. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://www.nij.gov/topics/victims-victimization/rights.htm Truman, J., PhD, & Planty, M., PhD. (2012, October). Criminal Victimization, 2011. US Department of Justice. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv11.pdf Washington State University. (2012, October 29). Victimization theories. Lecture. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from cooley.libarts.wsu.edu/garina/Soc3612/Documents/Lecture_10.ppt Eddy, D. (2012). National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards. State Links. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://www.nacvcb.org/index.asp?sid=6 Dungdung, A. (2011, December). Restoring Justice: Introduction to Prospects and Performances of Restorative Justice. Social Science Research Network. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1969809 Read More