NCJ Number
189259
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 79-88
Date Published
2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article examines response to a range of criminal and non-criminal self-reported victimizations among women at a regional Australian university.
Abstract
Epidemiological studies of crime victimization generally assume common reactions to similar victimizations across victims. The hypothesis of this study is that just as victims’ reporting behaviors vary with the characteristics of the person and the situation, the impact of victimization will also vary. Data were collected in 1996 in the form of questionnaires. Results indicated that a category of victimization would not predict the quality of the victim’s reaction to the event, or that one category of victimization would require a particular type of response. Rather than screening for and referral to services based on categories of offense, security and law enforcement personnel, as well as counselors, must be trained to be sensitive to the perceived impact of the seemingly more minor victimizations. Response programs need to be based on impact, not offense. There is a need for collaboration among security/law enforcement, mental health, physical health, and student administration personnel at the immediate level. This also requires coordination of resources across many departments and the administration of the university. While victimizations (especially violent crimes) are still relatively rare, even the more frequently experienced “minor” events cannot be assumed to be without major impact on students and staff. 2 tables, 1 figure, and 14 notes.