NCJ Number
54896
Journal
Justitiele verkenningen Issue: 8 Dated: (1976) Pages: 350-367
Date Published
1976
Length
18 pages
Annotation
VIOLENT CRIME TRENDS IN THE NETHERLANDS ARE REVIEWED, AND THE REACTIONS OF THE AUTHORITIES, VICTIMS, AND PUBLIC TO VIOLENT CRIME, ITS CAUSES, AND WAYS TO PREVENT IT ARE ANALYZED.
Abstract
THE NETHERLANDS EXPERIENCED A STEADY INCREASE IN MURDERS BUT NOT IN STREET CRIMES OR VIOLENT CRIMES SINCE 1970. A DECREASE WAS NOTED IN THE NUMBER OF ARMED ROBERIES. THE SEVERITY OF PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLENT CRIMES DIMINISHED SLIGHTLY OVER THE YEARS 1969, 1972, AND 1975, AND FEWER LONG PRISON TERMS GREATER THAN 1 YEAR WERE GIVEN. REACTIONS OF THE VICTIMS OF A VIOLENT CRIME DEPENDED VERY MUCH ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CRIMINALS. VICTIMS WERE USUALLY WELL INFORMED ABOUT THE OFFENDER AND THE OFFENSE, AND THIS INFORMATION SEEMED TO HAVE A MITIGATING EFFECT ON THE VICTIM'S DESIRE FOR HARSH PUNISHMENT. HOWEVER, THE GENERAL PUBLIC WANTED MORE SEVERE PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLENT CRIMES THAN WAS GIVEN. LACK OF EDUCATION, LOW SOCIAL CLASS, AND INABILITY TO DEAL WITH FREE TIME WERE SEEN AS CAUSES OF VIOLENT CRIME AMONG ADOLESCENTS. TO COUNTER YOUTH CRIMINALITY, PREVENTIVE MEASURES SUCH AS EDUCATION IN CREATIVE USE OF FREE TIME, YOUTH CENTERS, AND SPORT FACILITIES WERE CONSIDERED MOST EFFECTIVE. VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE HOME WERE CAUSED BY SUCH FACTORS AS AGGRESSIVE PERSONALITIES AND THE USE OF ALCOHOL. A 'ROUTINE' TYPE OF VIOLENCE WAS SEEN IN THE CASE OF CHILD AND WIFE BEATING. THE USE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF THERAPIES FOR OFFENDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE SEEN AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF DEALING WITH VIOLENT CRIME IN THE HOME. EASY ACCESS TO WEAPONS AND THE GROWING NUMBER OF POSTAL OFFICES AND BANKS WERE MENTIONED AS IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE OCCURRENCE OF ARMED ROBBERIES. THE INSTALLATION OF TECHNICAL DEVICES DECREASED THE CHANCES OF THESE BUILDINGS BEING ROBBED AND WERE NOTED AS EFFECTIVE PREVENTIVE MEASURES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. --IN DUTCH. (WVK)