NCJ Number
85256
Journal
Victimology Volume: 5 Issue: 2-4 Dated: (1980) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
E Viano
Date Published
1982
Length
349 pages
Annotation
These studies explore the experiences and public and professional perceptions of victims of rape, homicide, wife and child abuse, mass disasters, Nazi persecution, etc., in the United States and developing countries. They also address legislative responses, treatment, and intervention strategies.
Abstract
Studies on mutual perceptions of offenders and victims question whether victims are harmed psychologically by excessive feelings of vengeance, whether stressful life events cause offenders to attack members of their own families, and whether rapes are underreported because of negative public perceptions. Another study found that delinquency histories or gang membership are only slightly related to fear of crime and victimization. Domestic violence studies investigate attributions of responsibility in cases of physical and sexual abuse (males are held more responsible for physical abuse), the nature of family violence and wife battering in Finland and West Germany, and the victimization of babies in urban Nigeria (many are unwanted or victims of ritual killings). Trauma of child victims in court and parental child-stealing are also discussed. Other studies look at the impact of natural disasters on rescue workers and on family life and describe methods for dealing with abused children and battered women. One study found that a combination of professional and paraprofessional support for families in which incest had occurred was inadequate for restoring 'normal' functioning. Another illustrates the goals and techniques of psychotherapeutic treatment for rape victims; two studies describe the difficulties therapists face in counseling Holocaust victims. Finally, a State-by-State comparison of victim compensation legislation and a model victims' bill of rights are included. Victim research and data analysis techniques in India are also discussed. Most studies include data tables and references; abstracts of other works are appended.