NCJ Number
221613
Journal
Journal of Scandinavian Studies in Criminology and Crime Prevention Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 138-156
Date Published
2007
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The aim of this article is to analyze how social workers in the social services describe crime victims and their role in supporting these victims.
Abstract
The category ‘crime victim’ has not gained acceptance among the social workers participating in the focus groups for this study. The social workers in this analysis define victims in an ordinary way, rather than as professionals. The social workers position themselves as non-experts through their statements when it comes to a general discussion on support for crime victims. They see themselves as able to put needy persons into contact with helping resources. This article is based on the assumption that it is possible to build knowledge about the social workers’ understanding of crime victims through conversations with them. The analysis is based on focus groups with social workers in the social services; it is established that social workers discriminate between a categorical understanding of crime victims and an assessment of individuals in need. The categorical understanding of crime victims is connected to weakness and innocence, and the discussions are constructed with a focus on women and children. References