NCJ Number
128577
Date Published
1990
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses "indirect victimization" (crime impact on persons emotionally close to crime victims), summarizes the data available on the problems of indirect victims, and discusses theoretical and practical reasons why indirect victimization may lead to psychological difficulties.
Abstract
A number of studies indicate that the relatives or intimate partners of crime victims may experience many of the same symptoms reported by the victims themselves, such as anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts and memories, and diminished self-esteem. A case in point involves the surviving family members of homicide victims, who not only experience the stress resulting from the loss of a loved one but also have anxiety and other clinical symptoms associated with the cause of death and criminal justice processing of the case. Some theories help to explain the reactions of indirect victims of crime. Attribution theory suggests that indirect victims may change their basic perception of the world as a predictable and safe place and may believe they have also become more vulnerable to criminal victimization. Learned-helplessness theory predicts that indirect victims experience problems because they feel that the crime was out of their control, and they feel further out of control in their contacts with the criminal justice system. According to learning theory, victims may become anxious and depressed by sharing the experience of the crime vicariously with direct victims. Persons who administer victim services should be aware of the difficulties of indirect victims and offer them diagnostic and treatment services as well as information on case processing. 55 references