ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS (FROM DIMENSIONS OF VICTIMIZATION IN THE CONTEXT OF TERRORISTIC ACTS, 1977, BY RONALD D CRELINSTEN - SEE NCJ-60018)

• NCJ Number: 60025
• Author(s): R D CRELINSTEN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 24 pages
• Corporate Author: Universite de Montreal, Centre International de Criminologie Comparee
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

THE PROBLEM OF TERRORIST VICTIMIZATION IS ADDRESSED IN THIS COMMENTARY ON PAPERS PRESENTED AT AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR HELD IN FRANCE IN 1977. (SEE NCJ 60018-60024).

Abstract

VICTIMIZATION, IN THE CONTEXT OF TERRORIST ACTS, HAS SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS WHICH LEAD TO DEFINITIONAL AMBIGUITIES UNLESS THEY ARE EXPLICITLY RECOGNIZED. DEFINITIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE IMMEDIATE OR DIRECT VICTIM, SUCH AS THE HOSTAGE, WHO IS BUT A MEANS TO AN END AND IS THE PAWN IN A LARGER GAME. THE HOSTAGE, THEREFORE, MAY ONLY BE THE SECONDARY VICTIM, WITH THE PRIMARY VICTIM BEING THAT PERSON OR ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FATE OF THE HOSTAGE. ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES OF VICTIMIZATION INCLUDE THE INDIRECT VICTIMS, SUCH AS RELATIVES OF THE HOSTAGE, OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHOSE CIVIL LIBERTIES ARE RESTRICTED IN THE NAME OF SECURITY. TERTIARY VICTIMS SUFFER FINANCIAL OR PROPERTY DAMAGE DUE TO SPECIFIC TERRORIST ACTS. LITTLE OR NO RESEARCH HAS DEALT WITH THE CONSIDERABLE LOSSES THAT CITIZENS AND CORPORATIONS INCUR FROM THIS THIRD LEVEL OF TERRORISM'S EFFECTS. THE TERRORIST, HIMSELF, MAY BE PERCEIVED AS A VICTIM TO THE EXTENT THAT THE TERRORIST HAS BEEN SEPARATED FROM SOCIETY AND MADE TO FEEL HELPLESS. THE DANGERS CONFRONTING LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL ARE OBVIOUS, BUT OFFICERS ALSO UNDERGO GREATER ANXIETIES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR ASSIGNMENTS THAN DO MANY DIRECT VICTIMS. THE STRESS AND COPING MECHANISMS OF OPERATIONS PERSONNEL MUST BE CONSIDERED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE CRISIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. MEMBERS OF THE MASS MEDIA OCCASIONALLY SUFFER HARM WHILE COVERING STORIES ON TERRORISTS AND MAY ALSO FACE STRESS SITUATIONS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF THE DIRECT VICTIMS. IMPORTANT VARIABLES IN THE CONTEXT OF HOSTAGE SIEGES INCLUDE THE AGE, SEX, AND NUMBER OF HOSTAGES AND THE HOSTAGES' RELATIONSHIP TO THE TERRORISTS' CAUSE AND TO EACH OTHER. DIFFERENCES IN THE CONTEXT AND LOCATION OF SIEGES, SUCH AS PRISON RIOTS OR SKYJACKING, AFFECT THE HOSTAGES' PERCEPTION OF THE THREAT AND ALTER THE EFFECT OF THE SITUATION ON THEIR LONG-RANGE HEALTH. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF VICTIMIZATION INCLUDE THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON INDIVIDUALS IN CERTAIN ROLES AND THE APPROPRIATE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES FOR VICTIMS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)