Prior Victimization Research Articles

Bidirectional associations between family conflict and child behavior problems in families at risk for maltreatment

BackgroundChildren's exposure to family conflict is associated with the development of behavior problems. However, it remains unclear whether this association (1) functions bidirectionally and (2) exists independent of more severe forms of violent victimization. ObjectiveThe present study aimed to examine bidirectional and transactional associations between family conflict and children's behavioral problems, controlling for time-varying violent victimization experiences. Invariance testing examined whether these models differed by gender and by maltreatment status prior to initial recruitment. Participants and settingParticipants were caregiver-child dyads identified prospectively as being at risk for maltreatment and family violence exposure prior to age four (N = 1281; 51.4 % female; 74.6 % persons of color). MethodsCaregivers were interviewed prospectively about family conflict, children's aggressive and delinquent behavior, and children's victimization experiences at child ages 6, 8, and 10. ResultsAfter controlling for prior victimization, significant cross-lagged bidirectional associations were identified between family conflict and child behavior problems. Indirect effects from age 6 to age 10 externalizing problems through age 8 family conflict were not supported. Several bidirectional paths were stronger among boys than girls. Results revealed little evidence for moderation by prerecruitment maltreatment status. ConclusionsFindings support a conceptualization of the family-child relationship that is reciprocal in nature and highlight the importance of non-violent, everyday negative family processes. Interventions aiming to improve child behavior problems by targeting severely dysfunctional family processes should also address non-violent, lower-level patterns of negative family interactions, such as everyday instances of blame, criticism, nonacceptance, and favoritism.

Non-police Intervention Consideration by Ethnic Minorities: The Case of Arab Citizens of Israel

ABSTRACT This study examined the factors affecting consideration of other ways than turning to the police, or non-police intervention, following potential victimization by members of ethnic minority. Performance, procedural justice, and social disorganization theories served as the study’s theoretical framework. The data were obtained from the 2019 Personal and Community Security Index Survey conducted in Israel and analyzed using logistic regression model. The analytical sample included 692 Arab citizens of Israel. Greater satisfaction with the police and high trust in the police were negatively associated with the consideration of non-police intervention. In contrast, perception of the increase in locality violence compared to the previous year and prior victimization were positively associated with the consideration of non-police intervention. The results imply that the police should improve their performance in Israel’s Arab society and direct efforts to the establishment more trustful relationship with its members, especially in localities experiencing increased violence.

Harcèlement scolaire chez les sujets à ultra haut risque de psychose

BackgroundBullying in schools during childhood and adolescence is a growing public health problem due to its high prevalence worldwide and its various negative impacts on mental health. Evidence suggests that the “ultra-high risk for psychosis” (UHR) state is associated with a higher prevalence of bullying compared to the control subjects. We proposed to summarize the results of existing studies to provide a more thorough understanding of the mechanisms linking bullying and an UHR state, their clinical and evolutionary specificities, as well as their interventional implications. MethodPubMed and Medline search, Scopus, journal and textbook articles have been consulted for the review of literature on the relationship between bullying and psychosis in UHR subjects. ResultsWe found that the type of bullying experienced during childhood and adolescence may be related to the nature of subclinical psychotic symptoms experienced later. The development of psychotic symptoms in victims of bullying appears to be related to the frequency, severity, and duration of victimization. Limited evidence suggests that stopping bullying may prevent the onset of psychotic symptoms or an UHR state. Several explanatory models of the link between bullying and the subsequent onset of psychosis or prepsychotic states have been advanced in the literature, including premorbid developmental abnormalities, quality of attachment, dysfunctional cognitive patterns and theory of mind, and hypothalamic-pituitary axis abnormalities. ConclusionDespite the limited body of evidence, screening for the existence of prior victimization during the initial assessment of UHR subjects and their adequate management seem to be justified. However, to date, no study has evaluated specific intervention protocols for the management of bullying in UHR subjects.

Relationships Between Offenders’ Crime Locations and Different Prior Activity Locations as Recorded in Police Data

Understanding the relationships between individual offenders’ crime locations and their prior activity locations is important to enable individual level predictions to support crime prevention and investigation strategies. This study examined a wider range of crimes and activity locations than included in previous studies, to determine whether offenders are more likely to commit crime near some types of activity locations than others. Using discrete spatial choice models, we identified relationships between proximity to pre-crime activity locations recorded in a police database (e.g., offenders’ homes, family members’ homes, schools, prior crimes, and other police interactions) and the locations of 17,054 residential burglaries, 10,353 non-residential burglaries, 1,977 commercial robberies, 4,315 personal robberies, and 4,421 extra-familial sex offences in New Zealand. Offenders were generally more likely to commit crime closer to their activity locations than farther away, and closer to those visited more frequently (e.g., home versus family homes) or more likely to impart relevant knowledge about crime opportunities (e.g., prior crimes versus prior victim or witness locations). The observed patterns for different activity locations and crime types broadly support a recently proposed extension to crime pattern theory and illustrate the benefits of differentiating activity location and crime types when examining criminal spatial behaviour. The results have implications for offender risk assessment and management, and geographic profiling in police investigations.

Anxiety and prior victimization predict online gender-based violence perpetration among Indonesian young adults during COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional study

BackgroundMost of human interactions moved to the cyberspace for much of the pandemic. It was no surprise that online violence was also on the rise. One of the objectives of this study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors of online gender-based violence (OGBV) perpetration during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsThe final analysis included 1006 respondents, 84.2% of whom were women and 94.5% were heterosexual. Over 60% of respondents admitted having perpetrated at least one type of OGBV once. It included 58.6% of women who admitted having perpetrated OGBV. Logistic regression analysis identified anxiety, online disinhibition, and history of victimization as independent risk factors of perpetration with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.82 (95% CI 1.30–2.56), 1.38 (95% CI 1.03–1.85), and 9.72 (95% CI 5.11–18.51), respectively. Sub-group analysis that identified these factors also facilitated increased frequency and severity of OGBV perpetration.ConclusionsWe found a high proportion of OGBV perpetration among young adults during the pandemic among all genders although women were grossly overrepresented among the respondents. Risk factors of perpetration included anxiety, online disinhibition, and prior victimization. The pandemic situation which heightened general anxiety and increased dependency on online communication may facilitate the perpetration of OGBV. The generalization of this result should pay attention to the caveat that the demographic of respondents is heavily skewed toward women.

The relationship between risk factors, protective factors and women’s use of sexual coercion

ABSTRACT Researchers have found that both women and men engage in verbal and physical sexually coercive behaviours (Black et al. [2011]. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 summary report. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Bouffard et al. [2016]. Examining the correlates of women’s use of sexual coercion: Proposing an explanatory model. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 31(13), 2360–2382. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515575609). Risk factors such as rape myth acceptance and prior victimisation related to sexual coercion have been identified however, no research has examined how potential protective factors may impact engaging in this kind of behaviour. The current study examined how risk and protective factors related to the incidence of sexual coercion among a sample of 713 college women from a southern university. The results of the study supported previous findings on risk factors such as higher rape myth acceptance, having experienced prior sexual victimisation, and having a lower belief in the law, were significantly related to engaging in sexual coercion for the women in this sample. Findings indicated several protective factors were significantly related to lower chances of having engaged in sexual coercion, such as increased ability to control thoughts and behaviour and having positive social support. The significance of these findings and implications are discussed. Practice impact statement: This article can assist educators and professionals with developing sexual assault prevention programmes by explaining what factors are significant to college-aged women’s willingness to engage in coercive behaviour.

Political Agency, Victimhood, and Gender in Contexts of Armed Conflict: Moving beyond Dichotomies

Abstract In this article, we nuance the relationships between political agency, victimhood, and gender during armed conflicts. Dominant narratives often spotlight individuals as either passive victims or active agents. These representations are especially pronounced for sexual violence against women in conflict, where gendered conceptions of victimhood and agency remain particularly salient. Recent scholarship challenges this dichotomized way of thinking, showing how victimhood and agency sit alongside each other. We extend this growing body of scholarship by proposing a relational conception of agency that helps us better understand exactly how victimhood and agency intersect and can even be co-constitutive. Specifically, we propose that conceptualizing agency as relational—to others, to contextual structures, to own vulnerabilities and prior victimization—is particularly well suited to overcome inadequate dichotomizations, and to illuminate the spectrum of political agency, ranging from formalized politicized spaces to more mundane forms of agency within the quotidian. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork in Colombia and Uganda, we empirically tease out these complex intersections in a context of (gendered) vulnerability.

Perceptions of Police Among Kenyan Female Immigrants in the United States

We explored how highly educated and middle-class Kenyan female immigrants perceive their encounters with the police in the United States, including the decision to access the criminal justice system in response to their victimization. We found a positive correlation between perceptions of procedural justice and cooperation among Kenyan women immigrants. Conversely, prior victimization was inversely associated with help-seeking among these women. When Kenyan female immigrants perceived high police effectiveness in dealing with IPV, they were more likely to feel obligated to obey the U.S. police. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Uncovering Justice Interests of Victims of Serious Crimes: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT In recent years, victimological research has turned toward the study of victims’ perceptions or meanings of justice, challenging the traditional and prevailing understanding of the retributivist approach; this shift in focus locates the present study. Its goal was to assess victims’ justice interests and recognize its complexity by identifying victim and crime-related variables that could play a role in shaping those interests. For this propose, a quantitative approach was adopted and victims’ justice interests were measured through a scale created for this research. Victim and crime characteristics, together with psychological constructs related to victims’ recovery, were considered key variables. The study took place in Santiago of Chile and involved 133 direct and indirect victims of serious crimes - in all cases, criminal investigation processes were ongoing. Descriptive, comparative and correlational analyses were carried out. Once key variables were identified, predictive models for each justice interest were developed using multiple linear regression. Our results illustrated that type of crime, gender, prior victimization and recovery-related psychological variables played a role in shaping and predicting victims’ justice interests. The paper concludes discussing the contribution of these findings to research and public policy.

BMI and race and ethnicity as predictors of victimization and perpetration in emerging adulthood

PurposeRace and ethnicity, BMI and other factors can affect ratings of one’s experiences in school, work and other settings. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of BMI, race and ethnicity and body satisfaction on the experiences of victimization in a work or academic setting. Additionally, experiences of weight/appearance-based perpetration were explored within the context of prior victimization, perpetration, BMI, race and ethnicity and body satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachA diverse sample of 1,161 female undergraduates completed a series of questionnaires online. A series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between body satisfaction, BMI and race and ethnicity and weight/appearance-based teasing perpetration and victimization.FindingsResults indicated that lower body satisfaction was significantly related to an increase in weight/appearance-based victimization. Additional analyses examining the perpetration of weight/appearance-based teasing were conducted. Participants who reported experiencing victimization were also more likely to perpetrate weight/appearance-based teasing, although BMI was not associated with perpetration.Research limitations/implicationsImplications of these findings and future research directions are discussed. In particular, academic settings provide a landscape for reducing and preventing victimization because of the resources available for students in addition to policies and procedures that can be implemented.Originality/valueThe findings of this study provide evidence that various identities and beliefs, such as race and ethnicity, BMI and body satisfaction, play a role in victimization and perpetration. This study used a novel, emerging adulthood population.

Murderesses, monsters and madwomen: gender performance and the assessment of queer culpability in the Australian legal imagining

ABSTRACT The socio-legal tendency to categorise female killers as either ‘mad’, ‘sad’ ‘bad’ has been recognised as reflective of narrow notions of women’s capacity for violence. If women only kill due to insanity, or as the result of prior victimisation (the ‘mad’ and ‘sad’), then those who fall outside this narrative (the ‘bad’) risk legal and popular characterisation as non-women and even non-human. I consider the role of gender performance in which of these narratives are imposed upon a defendant and suggest that queer women are particularly susceptible to framing as monstrous due to their transgression of gender norms. This article will focus on the murders of Edward Baldock and Stacey Mitchell, both killed by lesbian couples in Australia in 1989 and 2006 respectively. Despite the intervening years, the defendants in both were characterised as vampiric in court and the news media, to the exclusion of relevant evidence of mental illness. I will examine this discursive and textual construction of the lesbian offender through Julie Kristeva’s theory of abjection and explore how the creation of a legal monster justifies, and indeed necessitates, its expulsion from society, leading to harsher punishment for lesbian defendants.

A dual-factor model of posttraumatic responses: Which is better, high posttraumatic growth or low symptoms?

Experiencing traumatic events may invoke posttraumatic symptoms (PTS) or growth (PTG). Using a dual-factor approach inspired by the dual-factor model of mental health, we explore the intersections of posttraumatic symptoms and growth with 21 strengths and indicators of psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. A survey completed by 1,966 participants who had experienced at least one prior victimization (average age 29.8 [SD = 1.64]; 63.6% female) assessed strengths, outcomes, and victimization. Participants were classified into four posttraumatic groups: Resilient (low symptoms, high growth, 23.9%), Prevailed (high symptoms, high growth, 26.1% of sample), Detached (low symptoms, low growth, 20.3%), and Distressed (high symptoms, low growth, 29.8%). Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) controlling for age, gender, and victimization found that posttraumatic group classification was associated with each regulatory, meaning-making, and interpersonal strength, and every well-being measure. The Distressed group scored the lowest and the Resilient group scored the highest on almost all measures. Notably, the Prevailed group scored above the Detached group on most measures, except for health-related quality of life and optimism, suggesting that high growth may be more beneficial than low symptoms when coping with trauma. Findings suggest that coping after trauma is more complex than merely doing well or doing poorly in response to trauma. Promoting posttraumatic growth may help even highly symptomatic people achieve well-being after trauma. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

“Hurt people hurt other people”: The link between past trauma and sexual offending

Background A growing body of research documents the high rates of trauma among individuals who have sexually offended. Yet the relationship between prior victimization and subsequent sexual offending remained unclear. Objective: By including the voices and perspectives of individuals convicted of sexual offenses, we sought to strengthen professionals’ understanding of the connection between victimization and offending. Method This qualitative study used an online survey to collect data from individuals convicted of sexual offenses (n = 195) with the aims of understanding their perceptions of the link between trauma and offending and what they would like sex-offense treatment providers to know about this connection. Results Using grounded theory, five major themes emerged from the data analysis: Relationship between Trauma Offending (n = 91), Acknowledging the Connection (n = 57), Specific Effects of Trauma (n = 48), Individualized Treatment (n = 34), and Recognition of Humanity (n = 26). Conclusions The participants perceived a strong connection between one’s own victimization and subsequent sexual offending. In addition, they offered specific recommendations for treatment providers, including individualizing treatment with an emphasis on humanity and compassion. Implications for trauma-informed practice and policy are discussed.

Elder abuse and cognitive function among community-Dwelling older adults: Does abuse history matter?

Background and aimThe World Health Organization has identified child abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV), and elder abuse (EA) as common types of interpersonal violence. Research showed individuals exposed to interpersonal violence in one life stage were at higher risks of exposure to interpersonal violence in other life stages. This study aims to examine the relationship between cumulative interpersonal violence and cognitive function. MethodsData were derived from the PINE Study in which 3,157 Chinese older adults aged 60 and above received interviews in Chicago. We used a 56-item modified Conflict Tactics Scale to evaluate EA. Abuse history was defined as exposure to child abuse (before age 18) and/or IPV (age 18–59) measured respectively by the Extended Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream scale. We divided participants into four groups: EA and abuse history (n = 204), EA only (n = 439, reference group), abuse history only (n = 310), and no interpersonal violence (n = 2181). Global cognition was evaluated by episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, and MMSE. Linear regression was used. ResultsOlder adults with EA and abuse history (b = 0.147, SE = 0.052, p < .01) or abuse history only (b = 0.118, SE = 0.046, p < .01) had higher global cognition than the EA only group. ConclusionsIndividuals with abuse history might develop resilience in the face of interpersonal violence in old age through gaining a sense of mastery and developing effective coping skills from prior experience. Healthcare professionals could assess older adults’ prior victimizations and recent victimizations to plan family violence counseling and promote healthy cognitive aging.

What Are the Chances? Perceived Risk of Sexual Victimization for Self and Others Among College Women.

Awareness of vulnerability to a negative outcome is considered a necessary first step to risk reduction and prevention behaviors. Accordingly, sexual assault awareness programs have sought to inform college students of the prevalence of college sexual victimization and the risk factors that contribute. The goal of the current study was to consider the degree to which incoming college freshman women recognize their risk of experiencing sexual victimization and to examine whether risk factors such as alcohol use contribute to those perceived chances. Freshman women (N = 252) were recruited via email early in the Fall semester to participate in an online survey. As expected, women perceived their own chances of sexual victimization (21.4%) to be lower than those of the average freshman at the same university (43.7%). Prior sexual victimization, typical drinking, and expected hookups predicted higher perceived risk of being victimized. Only prior victimization predicted higher perceived risk of sexual victimization for others. On average, freshman women acknowledge their substantial risk of experiencing sexual victimization during their first year of college and overestimate the chances that others will be victimized. Findings show high awareness of sexual assault and its risk factors among college students but point toward a need for prevention that goes beyond education and awareness campaigns.

Systematic review of determinants and consequences of bystander interventions in online hate and cyberbullying among adults

ABSTRACT Despite the substantial amount of literature concerning adolescent bystanders of online hate and cyberbullying, relatively little attention has been devoted to studying the same issue in adults. Similarly, the determinants of the effectiveness of different messages to support the victims or counter hate have also been understudied. The existing pieces of empirical research on these topics remained scattered and no systematic review was performed to check if there are any patterns with regard to determinants and consequences of adult bystanders intervening against hate online. To fill these gaps, we performed a literature review in accordance with the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook for Systematic Reviews. The results of the literature search and analysis yielded three important findings. First, personal and contextual factors determining bystander action in adults largely overlap with the factors identified in adolescent populations: empathy, prior victimisation, feelings of responsibility, severity, social norms, relationship with the victim and number of bystanders. Second, personal factors promoting bystander action seem to be interconnected via empathy and social norms, both of which can be facilitated through psycho-education. Third, there is a critical lack of studies on the effectiveness of different bystander interventions.

Who’s Afraid of Terror News? The Interplay between News Consumption Patterns, Personal Experiences and Fear of Terrorism

ABSTRACT A positive correlation between exposure to terrorism news reports and fear of terrorism has been documented, but less is known about factors moderating this relationship. Our focus is mostly on identifying relevant moderators. We argue that individuals’ habitual patterns in news consumption (frequency, type of outlet, genre) and personal experiences (prior victimization, living in a diverse neighborhood, residing in an urban area) are relevant in this regard. In a between-subjects experiment (2 groups: exposure to terror threat story vs. control story) in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden (N = 786) we exposed participants to a news story on terror threat. Effects on fear of terrorism were especially strong for citizens that often consume soft, popular and commercial forms of news and live in urban areas.

Older Victims of Mass Marketing Scams: An Analysis of Data Seized From Scammers

Mass marketing scams are some of the most common frauds in America, and include scams perpetrated through the mail. A growing body of research indicates that older adults face a greater risk of victimization due to age-related changes in cognitive functioning and social isolation, and may be more likely to fall victim repeatedly. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of repeat mass marketing fraud (revictimization) among older adults and patterns of victimization associated with age, scam type, seasonality, and geography. We use two decades of non-public administrative data from the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). These databases were seized during law enforcement investigations of mass mailing scam organizations and contain more than 2 million unique U.S. victims and their transactions with four different fraud organizations. Victims were matched across datasets using name, address, and a change of address file. We find that revictimization rates increase with age in psychic scams. The 10,000 victims who responded the most times (between 82 and 562 times) were 78 years old on average and suffered $4,700 in total losses per person. Other significant trends emerged for lottery and sweepstakes scams. Unlike prior fraud victimization studies, inferences on victim characteristics are based on actual victim experiences with fraud rather than hypothetical scenarios or surveys where victims must self-report fraud. Findings provide valuable policy-relevant information regarding older victims and the patterns of chronic victimization.

Fear of sexual assault for oneself and others: A gendered perspective from five states

The present study conceptualizes and investigates a combined measure of personal and altruistic fear of sexual assault. In addition to estimating the extent of this combined measure of fear of crime, the current research examines whether there is a gender gap in fear of sexual assault when considering fear of crime for both oneself and others. The known determinants of fear of crime (e.g., perceived incivilities, prior victimization) are also investigated as explanations of fear of sexual assault. Based on analyses of data from a random mail survey of respondents living in the Northwestern region of the United States, findings suggest that fear of sexual assault is generally higher for women than for men. Further, while women are significantly more likely to express fear for oneself and fear for others, some of the determinants of fear differ according to gender, including social disorder, prior victimization, age, and income.

Rates and predictors of child maltreatment re-perpetration against new victims and prior victims

BackgroundLimited prior research has examined the rates or predictors of re-perpetration of child maltreatment. Yet, perpetrators may have multiple victims, and perpetrators, rather than their victims, are often the primary focus of child welfare services. ObjectiveWe examine rates of child maltreatment re-perpetration of repeat and new victims, and test perpetrator demographics and maltreatment index incident case characteristics as predictors of re-perpetration. Participants and settingWe use a sample of 285,245 first-time perpetrators of a substantiated maltreatment incident in 2010 from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. MethodsWe use linear probability models with full information maximum likelihood to test new victim and same victim perpetration by the end of FY 2018. ResultsFifteen percent of perpetrators re-maltreated one or more of their original victims (“same victim re-perpetration”); 12% maltreated a new victim. Overall, re-perpetration was more common among younger, female, and White perpetrators. Perpetrators who were the biological or adoptive parent of their initial victim(s) had higher rates of same victim re-perpetration; new victim re-perpetration was more common among perpetrators who initially victimized an adoptive or stepchild. Same victim re-perpetration was less common among perpetrators of physical abuse than other types of maltreatment, and new victim re-perpetration was more common among perpetrators of sexual abuse and neglect than physical abuse. ConclusionsChild welfare agencies should track re-perpetration in addition to revictimization as part of agency evaluations and risk assessments.