NCJ Number
65064
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 53 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY-MARCH 1980) Pages: 30-42
Date Published
1980
Length
13 pages
Annotation
PERPETRATOR, VICTIM, AND BYSTANDER ROLES IN THE CRIME OF MUGGING ARE DISCUSSED, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS ARE CONSIDERED.
Abstract
MUGGING RESULTS IN PHYSICAL INJURY, MENTAL ANGUISH, AND UNJUSTIFIED PERSONAL LOSS AND PROPERTY DESTRUCTION. MUGGERS HAVE LITTLE OR NO CONCERN FOR THE RIGHTS, PROPERTY, AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING OF OTHER PEOPLE. THEY FEEL THEIR CHANCE OF SUCCESS IN VICTIMIZING SOMEONE ARE GREAT, WITH LITTLE CHANCE OF DISCOVERY AND APPREHENSION FOR THE CRIME. THE BEHAVIOR OF INNOCENT BYSTANDERS IS INFLUENCED BY FEAR, CALLOUSNESS, INSENSITIVITY, AND UNCONCERN. VICTIMS ARE LIKELY TO BE PERSONS WHO ARE HELPLESS OR LESS PHYSICALLY ABLE TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES, AND ARE FREQUENTLY ELDERLY PERSONS, ESPECIALLY MIDDLE-AGED PERSONS WITH WHITE MIDDLE-CLASS BACKGROUNDS AND WOMEN. RESEARCH INVOLVING 50 ADULT MALES (36 WHITE AND 14 BLACK) INDICATES THAT ALTHOUGH PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS UNDER ATTACK IS LOW, SUPPORT IS RELATIVELY STRONG FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, CLOSE FRIENDS, OR EVEN MEMBERS OF THE SAME RACE WHEN ONE IS A MINORITY. ONLY 6 OF THE 50 MEN WERE READY TO HELP POLICE OFFICERS. BLACK MEN WERE LESS LIKELY TO HELP POLICE THAN WHITE MEN, ALTHOUGH BLACK MEN WERE MORE LIKELY TO HELP STRANGERS. SOCIETY MUST RECOGNIZE THE DANGER OF APATHY TOWARD VIOLENCE AND OTHER CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR THAT CAN GROW OUT OF NONINTERVENTION. MORE EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO GAIN PUBLIC SUPPORT IN PROTECTING POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF CRIMINAL ASSAULT THROUGH THE FOLLOWING STEPS: EARLY AND CONTINUED TRAINING OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS REGARDING THEIR ROLE IN THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF OTHERS; MORE USE OF THE MASS MEDIA TO FACILITATE SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS UNDER ATTACK; AND PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT MAKES IT AN OFFENSE TO IGNORE AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER ATTACK UNLESS THERE ARE VERY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. CONVERSATIONS WITH A MUGGER, VICTIM, AND BYSTANDER ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)