NCJ Number
53764
Date Published
1979
Length
238 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING THE VICTIM OF SUCH PERSONAL CRIMES AS MUGGING, RAPE, AND ROBBERY, THIS BOOK TRACES THE CRISIS VICTIMS FACE IN REGAINING CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES.
Abstract
BEGINNING WITH THE SOURCE OF PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS ABOUT VICTIMIZATION (THE MYTHS AND FANTASIES ABOUT CRIME THAT ARE PLAYED OUT IN THE MEDIA EVERY DAY), THE NARRATIVE MOVES ON TO CRIME ITSELF, DESCRIBING ITS IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON THE VICTIM AND EXPLORING THE MEANING OF THE VIOLATION TO THE VICTIM. FOLLOWING A DISCUSSION OF THE THREE STAGES OF THE TYPICAL REACTION TO VICTIMIZATION AND HOW THE VICTIM CAN BEST BE SUPPORTED AT EACH STAGE, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACETS OF THE RECOVERY PROCESS--THE VICTIM'S SEARCH FOR A REASON, AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THE CRIME OCCURRED--IS EXAMINED, ALONG WITH THE SYMPTOMS OF SELF-BLAME THAT OFTEN ACCOMPANY IT. SUBSEQUENT SECTIONS DEAL WITH (1) THE REACTIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE AND REASONS FOR THEM, AND (2) THE VICTIM'S OWN FEELINGS OF GUILT AND SHAME. THE WORKINGS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE ATTITUDES AND VALUES THAT VICTIMS OFTEN ENCOUNTER IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE POLICE AND THE COURTS ARE EXPLAINED. THE FINAL SECTION PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE AND HOW VICTIMS SHOULD SEEK HELP, INCLUDING RESOURCES FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, MEDICAL CARE, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION, AND OTHER VICTIM NEEDS. IT ALSO INCLUDES STRATEGIES FOR MAKING THE INSTITUTIONS THAT DELIVER THESE SERVICES MORE RESPONSIVE. THREE APPENDIXES CONTAIN A DISCUSSION OF NATIONWIDE CRIME STATISTICS, A GUIDE TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND A LIST OF SPECIFIC RESOURCES FOR MANY OF THE MOST COMMON VICTIM NEEDS. AN INDEX AND SUGGESTED READING ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)