NCJ Number
52465
Journal
SCIENCE DIGEST Volume: 77 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 64-69
Date Published
1975
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE TENDENCY OF FAMILY, FRIENDS, SOCIETY, AND POLICE TO BLAME THE VICTIM FOR THE CRIME IS EXAMINED. THE REASONS WHY OTHERS HOLD THE VICTIM RESPONSIBLE AND THE NEED FOR POLICE TRAINING ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE VICTIM OF A MUGGING OR BURGLARY IS USUALLY TOLD THAT HE OR SHE 'SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN WALKING IN THAT AREA ALONE' OR 'SHOULD HAVE HAD BETTER LOCKS.' EVEN POLICE OFFICERS WHO RESPOND TO THE CALL PLACE BLAME ON THE VICTIM. THIS IS A DEFENSE AGAINST A FEELING OF FEAR OR GUILT. PERSONS DO NOT LIKE TO THINK THAT SENSELESS VIOLENCE CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. IT OFFERS REASSURANCE TO THINK OF THE VICTIM AS SOMEHOW PROVOKING THE ATTACK. POLICE OFTEN BLAME THE VICTIM TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES OF A FEELING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE TO PREVENT THE CRIME. EVEN CRIMINALS TEND TO BLAME THE VICTIM, SAYING THEY ONLY BEAT THE PERSONS WHO ARE 'SLOW IN GIVING ME MY MONEY.' THE PERSON WHO RESISTS IS CALLED FOOLISH. THE PERSON WHO COOPERATES OUT OF FEAR IS CALLED COMPLIANT. THE STAGES SHOCK, FRIGHT, AND ANGER ARE DISCUSSED. VICTIM SERVICE WORKERS AT THE KAREN HORNEY CLINIC IN NEW YORK HAVE FOUND THAT IF SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING IS GIVEN BY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND POLICE, THE TRAUMA OF THE CRIME IS NOT SEVERE. HOWEVER, BLAME ADDS GUILT TO THE OTHER TRAUMA. POLICE ATTITUDES ARE CALLED CRUCIAL IN REDUCING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA OF THE VICTIM. INSTEAD OF LECTURING, THEY SHOULD HELP PICK UP BELONGINGS AND ADMINISTER PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID WHILE GATHERING INFORMATION. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT BEING THE VICTIM OF A VIOLENT CRIME IS TRAGIC ENOUGH WITHOUT ADDING THE PARADOXICAL ATTITUDES OF SOCIETY. (GLR)