Showing papers in "International Review of Victimology in 1997"

Whither Women's Fear? Perceptions of Sexual Violence in Public and Private Space

Abstract: This paper assesses explanations for women's fear of sexual violence. Many existing analyses share a common theoretical basis, but certain conflicts arise in the empirical evidence. These concern a...

Reparation, Retribution and Rights

Abstract: This article explores the relationship between the idea that offenders should make reparation to their victims and the principle of ‘just deserts’ or strict proportionality between seriousness of offence and severity of punishment. Some have queried whether these notions are compatible with each other, suggesting that there is relatively little scope for reparative measures in a criminal justice system soundly based on the principle of just deserts.We defend the reparative principle, arguing that reparation should play a significant role in a criminal justice system based on the human rights of victims as well as offenders. Such a rights-based approach also has an important place for the retributive notion of just deserts, but strict proportionality is rejected in favour of an approach whereby the offender's just deserts set upper and lower limits on the sanctions which may be imposed on the offender. Within these limits there should be scope for both victims and offenders to have a say in the nature, for...

Victim Harm, Impact Statements and Victim Satisfaction with Justice: An Australian Experience*:

Abstract: In the debate surrounding victim input into sentencing, a major argument in favor of using victim impact statements (VIS) centered on the presumed effect of VIS on victim satisfaction with justice. Drawing upon procedural justice theory, this article examines the validity of the arguments concerning increased satisfaction with justice through a survey of felony crime victims in South Australia. The study sheds light on the factors that affect victim satisfaction with sentencing, and questions the presumed increased effect of VIS on satisfaction with justice. Further, it suggests a negative impact via unfulfilled expectations. The implications of the findings for VIS as an element of procedural justice are drawn and discussed.

The role of displays of emotions and ethnicity in judgments of rape victims

Abstract: The present experiment investigated the impact of displays of emotions and ethnicity of a rape victim on impression formation of white male and female observers. It was expected that victims would be assessed more favourably when they behaved angrily, rather than sadly, and when they were white rather than black. Moreover, it was expected that female observers would assess victims more positively than male observers. In the present experiment 51 male and 49 female observers watched a videotape of a victim of rape (an actress) during a simulated police interview. The ethnicity of the victim (white vs. black) and the emotion displayed by the victim (sad vs angry) was systematically manipulated. Observers' interpretations of what had happened were investigated by means of a questionnaire. The findings supported hypotheses relating to display of emotions and gender of the participants but failed to support the hypothesis concerning ethnicity.

The Impact of Burglary: A Tale of Two Cities:

Abstract: Victims' experiences of burglary in two contrasting English cities are compared, using data from a wider cross-national survey. Perceptions of the incident are assessed in terms of financial costs and the wider impact, including the effect of the crime on children in the household, and these are considered alongside the operation of victim support in the two areas. Finally victims' reactions are compared according to concern over future victimisation and crime prevention initiatives. Overall the data suggest that while the responses of burglary victims in the two contrasting urban environments share many common features, living in a more impoverished environment with higher rates of crime influences the ways in which respondents respond to their burglary.

The Influence of Positive and Negative Victim Credibility on the Assessment of Rape Victims; An Experimental Study of Expectancy—Confirmation Bias

Abstract: The influence of prior credibility information about a rape victim on the subsequent questioning and assessment of the victim by the police was studied in two related experiments. It was hypothesized that the number and type of questions asked would be influenced by the type of prior information the subjects had received. Furthermore, evaluation of the victims’ report was expected to be biased toward the manipulated level of victim credibility. In Experiment 1 law students were either given negative, positive or no victim credibility information before participating in a simulated victim interview. Analysis of the number and type of questions asked during the interview, and the attributed victim or assailant responsibility measured after the interview confirmed the hypothesis for the number and type of questions. The expected bias with regard to the final evaluation of the victim and the assailant was only partially confirmed. Irrespective of the prior information on victim credibility, attributions of re...

Tolerating Battering: Invisible Methods of Social Control

Abstract: This article examines how invisible methods of social control contribute to the tolerance of battering amongst women. The study is based on the responses of 173 Palestinian women selected randomly from the East Jerusalem area, and who were interviewed to assess their perception and response to wife battering. Quantitative and qualitative data collected on the respondents suggest that while women do not accept violence practised on them, they tolerate it. Contextual analysis of the data showed that women tolerate violence because no other viable alternative is available to them. An in-depth analysis of the hidden variables contributing to this tolerance is given from a feminist perspective. Suggestions are given regarding the questions researchers should ask when dealing with wife battering.

Child Homicide in Developed Countries

Abstract: Previous research has found that the United States has had atypically high rates of child homicide. This paper re-evaluates this and other findings using late 1980s data for 24 developed countries under current cause of death categories (and also includes the 5–14 years age group). The United States continues to have high homicide rates for the entire span of childhood. New Zealand also ranks high. Comparatively, in both countries male infants and females 1–4 years face greater risks of homicide, which is a major cause of death in certain age groups. Reporting artifacts are a possibility raised again by this study. Related issues are discussed empirically and using recent conceptual clarifications regarding family involvement and child abuse.

Charge Bargaining and Sentence Discount: The Victim's Perspective

Abstract: This paper draws attention to the interests of the victim in the criminal justice system in relation to the use of charge bargaining and the sentence discount in UK law. The paper argues that debate in this area tends to assume that these practices, particularly use of the graded sentence discount, are in harmony with the needs of crime control and with the interests of victims, but that they may infringe due process rights. Debate tends to concentrate on the due process implications of such practices, while the ready association of victims' interests with those of crime control tends to preclude consideration of a distinctive victim's perspective. This paper therefore seeks to identify the impact of charge bargaining and the sentence discount on victims in order to identify a particular victim's perspective. It goes on to evaluate measures which would afford it expression including the introduction of victim consultation and participation in charge bargains and discount decisions as proposed under the 19...