Whose Violence? (From Violence - The Community and the Administrator, P 133-145, 1977, M G Kerr, ed. - See NCJ-75596)

• NCJ Number: 75601
• Author(s): A J Nixon
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: New Zealand Institute of Public Admin
• Language: English
• Country: New Zealand

Annotation

Prosecution and imprisonment of violent offenders in New Zealand are ineffective as preventive measures. New measures, emphasizing education, are needed.

Abstract

Violence should be viewed in a historical perspective as a decreasing evil rather than one that is growing. Since reported crime represents only a small fraction of all crime, it is possible, that increase in rates reflects refection of violence and as such, is a positive phenomenon. This realistic point of view is necessary in order to direct preventive measures where they really belong. For example, most sanctions against violence are being applied to public brawling among the lower social orders. However, the real problems of violence are those which enforcement authorities do not encounter - violence in the home, wife-beating and child abuse by persons known to the victim, among skilled and professional workers. These crimes of violence are not reported, because when such violence is notified to the police, it sets off a ritual of arrest, prosectuion, and imprisonment with attendant public degradation, loss of career, financial ruin, etc. - a kind of reciprocal violence which most victims do not choose to provoke. Thus, new measures which will make it easier for the victim to call on aid are needed. Since rehabilitation of offenders has proven to be ineffective, potential victims should be educated. Furthermore, since many children in large families are at risk of becoming criminals, administrative measures might include free availability of contraceptive procedures. There should also be education and counseling on personal relations, preschool education for the underprivileged, and classes should be limited to 20 children in the more troublesome schools. The seeds of the new system already lie in the periodic detention system. However, as the new system is implemented, fewer prisons will be in use, which will create a new problem - that of the employment of former prison personnel. This problem should be addressed now. Statistical data is included.