NCJ Number
55428
Journal
Kriminalistik Issue: 12 Dated: (1975) Pages: 540-545
Date Published
1975
Length
6 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS OF CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH POLICE COUNSELING IN THE GERMAN FEDERAL REPUBLIC ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
CRIME PREVENTION CAN TAKE THE FORM OF THREATENED PUNISHMENT AS DISSUASION FROM CRIME, CORRECTION OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR THROUGH SOCIAL PRESSURE, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF OBSTACLES TO CRIME; POLICE CAN ACTUALLY ONLY ASSIST BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF VICTIMIZATION SITUATIONS. GENERAL PROBLEMS OF POLICE COUNSELING INCLUDE THE TENDENCY OF POTENTIAL VICTIMS TO GO TO THE POLICE ONLY AS A MEANS OF AVOIDING LARGE-SCALE DAMAGES; AROUSING CITIZENS' AWARENESS OF CRIME WITHOUT CAUSING PANIC, OVERREACTION, AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE POLICE ROLE THROUGH EXCESSIVE USE OF FEAR TACTICS; ADJUSTING COUNSELING MEASURES TO SPECIFIC CRIMES AND INFORMATION TO SPECIFIC GROUPS; ACTIVELY MODIFYING THE IMAGE OF THE WEAK, PASSIVE VICTIM; PROVIDING ENOUGH COUNSELING OFFICES TO MAKE POSSIBLE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING; AND ENLIGHTENING THE PUBLIC ABOUT KNOWN CRIMINAL TACTICS. SPECIAL PROBLEMS RELATE TO KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SOPHISTICATED MODERN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, TYPES OF ADVICE TO BE GIVEN TO WOMEN IN CASES OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND TO CHILDREN IN CASES OF SEXUAL MISTREATMENT, AND CONFLICTS OVER DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN FRAUD CASES. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE (1) EXACT TECHNICAL COUNSELING AS PART OF A SYSTEMATIC STRATEGY, (2) COUNSELOR TRAINING AND GENERAL STAFF PROMOTION OF COUNSELING, (3) PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING WHICH ACCURATELY REPRESENTS THE INTERESTS OF THE OFFENDERS AND VICTIMS, AND (4) COORDINATION OF COUNSELING WITH PREVENTION FUNCTIONS. IMPROVED COUNSELING REQUIRES POLICE RULES OF PRACTICE AND DETERMINATION OF WHO WILL DO THE PLANNING, WHO WILL DIRECT PROJECTS, AND WHO WILL PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE UNDERTAKING. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT FOR SUCH PROJECTS CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)