PART 10: VICTIMS
VICTIMS
A victim support network
RESEARCH
Done by: Author
Funded by: Crime Prevention Unit with Hutt Safer Community Council
Method: Qualitative study, established programme evaluation
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Lower Hutt victim support network evaluation
Author(s): Roguski, M.
Completed: YES, August 1995
Availability: Crime Prevention Unit
Report, August 1995. Contact Crime Prevention Unit,
P O Box 55, Wellington.
Description: Process and outcome evaluation of service delivery, management, networking etc.
Keywords: victims
Notes: Relates to Government funded service, NZCFA.
VICTIMS
Child sexual abuse in a sample of women
RESEARCH
Done by: Department of Psychological Medicine of the Dunedin School of Medicine
Funded by: Health Research Council, New Zealand Lottery Grants Commission
Method: Quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Sexual abuse in childhood and deliberate self-harm
Author(s): Romans, S.E., J.L. Martin, J.C. Anderson, G.P. Herbison and P.E. Mullen
Completed: YES, 1995
Availability: American Journal of Psychiatry; 1995; 152:1336-42
Description: ABSTRACT. Objective. The authors investigated the association between sexual abuse in childhood and subsequent incidents of deliberate self-harm in women. Method. A random community sample of women (N=252) that reported having been sexually abused as children was interviewed and compared to a similarly sized group (N=225) that did not report abuse. The subgroup of women sexually abused as children who reported subsequent incidents of deliberate self-harm was then contrasted with abused women who did not report self-harm. Results. There was a clear statistical association between sexual abuse in childhood and self-harm that was most marked in those subjected to more intrusive and more frequent abuse. Self-harm was also associated with major interpersonal problems in the subject's family of origin and with becoming involved in further abusive relationships as an adult. Conclusions. Sexual abuse in childhood is associated with later incidents of deliberate self-harm and may well be an etiologic factor in its development.
Keywords: child sexual abuse, gender issues, health, offences, offenders, self-harm, sexual abuse, victimisation, victims
Notes:
Title: The effect of child sexual abuse on social, interpersonal and sexual function in adult life
Author(s): Mullen, P.E., J.L. Martin, J.C. Anderson, S.E. Romans, G.P. Herbison
Completed: YES 1994
Availability: British Journal of Psychiatry, 1994; 165:35-47
Description: ABSTRACT. Background. The association was examined between reporting child sexual abuse (CSA) and a range of social, interpersonal and sexual difficulties in adult life. Method. A random sample of 2,250 women were posted a questionnaire exploring a range of abuse experiences. All 248 reporting CSA were invited for interview, together with an equal number of controls. At interview a detailed inquiry was made into the CSA and into current interpersonal, social and sexual function. Results. Significant associations emerged between reporting CSA and a decline in socioeconomic status, increased sexual problems, and the disruption of intimate relationships by difficulties with trust as well as a propensity to perceive their partners as uncaring and overcontrolling. CSA was more common in those from disturbed and disrupted families and in those who also reported physical and emotional abuse. This explained part, but not all, of the apparent association between CSA and negative outcomes. Conclusions. Those reporting CSA are more likely to suffer social, interpersonal and sexual difficulties in adult life.
Keywords: child sexual abuse, gender issues, health, offences, offenders, sexual abuse, victimisation, victims
Notes:
Title: Prevalence of childhood sexual abuse experiences in a community sample of women
Author(s): Anderson, J.C., J.L. Martin, P.E. Mullen, S.E. Romans, G.P. Herbison
Completed: YES 1993
Availability: Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1993; 32(5):911-9
Description: ABSTRACT. Objective. The study was designed to ascertain the prevalence and nature of sexual abuse in childhood for a community sample of women. Method. A two-stage design, using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews was employed, providing information on prevalence rates, types of abuse, ages of victims, relationship to the abuser, and cohort effects. Results. Nearly one woman in three reported having one or more unwanted sexual experiences before age 16 years. A significant number of these experiences (70%) involved genital contact or more severe abuse, and 12% of those abused were subjected to sexual intercourse. The abusers were usually known to the victim, being family members in 38.3% of cases and acquaintances in another 46.3%. Stranger abuse accounted for 15% of all abuse experiences. Most of the abusers were young men, disclosure of the abuse was infrequent, and only 7% of all abuse was ever officially reported. Prevalence rates showed no urban/rural differences, no cohort effect with subject age, and no age differences in disclosure rates. Conclusions. Child sexual abuse is common, serious, infrequently reported, and the abuser is usually known to the child. Preadolescent girls are at greatest risk.
Keywords: child sexual abuse, disclosure, gender issues, health, offences, offenders, prevalence, sexual abuse, victimisation, victims
Notes:
Title: Childhood sexual abuse and mental health in adult life
Author(s): Mullen, P.E., J.L. Martin, J.C. Anderson, S.E. Romans, G.P. Herbison
Completed: YES 1993
Availability: British Journal of Psychiatry, 1993; 163:721-32
Description: ABSTRACT. The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and mental health in adult life was investigated in a random community sample of women. There was a positive correlation between reporting abuse and greater levels of psychopathology on a range of measures. Substance abuse and suicidal behaviour were also more commonly reported by the abused group. Childhood sexual abuse was more frequent in women from disrupted homes as well as in those who had been exposed to inadequate parenting or physical abuse. While elements in the individual's childhood which increased the risks of sexual abuse were also directly associated to higher rates of adult psychopathology, abuse emerged from logistic regression as a direct contributor to adult psychopathology. The overlap between the possible effects of sexual abuse and the effects of the matrix of disadvantage from which it so often emerges were, however, so considerable as to raise doubts about how often, in practice, it operates as an independent causal element. Further, many of those reporting childhood sexual abuse did not show a measurable long-term impairment of their mental health. Abuse correlated with an increased risk for a range of mental health problems, but in most cases its effects could only be understood in relationship to the context from which it emerged.
Keywords: child sexual abuse, disclosure, gender issues, health, mental health, offences, offenders, prevalence, psychopathology, sexual abuse, victimisation, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Confident Living Programme
RESEARCH
Done by: Research International New Zealand
Funded by: Crime Prevention Unit with Christchurch Safer Community Council
Method: Qualitative study, pilot programme evaluation
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Evaluation of the Confident Living Programme
Author(s): Research International New Zealand
Completed: YES, November 1995
Availability: Crime Prevention Unit
Report, November 1995. Contact Crime Prevention
Unit,
P O Box 55, Wellington.
Description: Process and outcome evaluation of service delivery, management, networking etc.
Keywords: community safety, crime prevention, elderly, fear of crime, personal safety, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Discrimination against lesbians
RESEARCH
Done by: Authors
Funded by: Lesbian Community Sources, and Project Foundation
Method: Qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: IN PROGRESS, expected completion date end of 1996
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Discrimination against lesbians
Author(s): Rankine, Jenny et al
Completed: NO, planned completion date end of 1996
Availability: Will be available from Auckland Pride Centre, P O Box 5426, Wellesley Street, Auckland.
Description: To investigate lesbian and bisexual women's experience of discrimination (including violence and hate crime). A written questionnaire was distributed to bisexual and lesbian groups in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and other centres. More than 200 surveys were returned, showing a high level of discrimination.
Keywords: attitudes, fear of crime, gender issues, hate crimes, human rights, lesbians, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Families of murder victims
RESEARCH
Done by: Not yet decided
Funded by: Crime Prevention Unit
Method: Qualitative study, quantitative study, pilot programme evaluation
Status: IN PROGRESS, expected completion date late 1996
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Evaluation of counselling for families of
murder victims
[working title, title not yet decided]
Author(s): Not contracted
Completed: NO, planned completion date early 1997
Availability: Contact Crime Prevention Unit, P O Box 55, Wellington.
Description: Evaluation of Counselling for Families of Murder Victims Scheme
Keywords: victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Fear of crime in Manurewa
RESEARCH
Done by: Author
Funded by: -
Method: Literature review, qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Fear of crime in Manurewa: a study of two neighbourhoods
Author(s): Knock, Grant
Completed: YES, 1993
Availability: Available by interloan from The University of Auckland Library
Description: ABSTRACT. The study of fear of crime is one example of the change of focus from the traditional emphasis on offenders and offending in criminological research; an emphasis which has been increasingly recognised to have resulted in the relative neglect of the victims of crime. The salience of neighbourhoods as potential mediators of this phenomenon is apparent in official initiatives directed at the local community level emphasising social control of the environment. In New Zealand, studies oriented towards an examination of neighbourhood differences in the fear of crime have been conducted in Christchurch and in Lower Hutt. This research is intended to contribute further understanding by examining two neighbourhoods in the Manukau City ward of Manurewa. The assumption that differences in neighbourhood fear levels exist led to the formulation of two hypotheses: first, that differences in fear would be greater between contrasting neighbourhoods than between contrasting street types; and second, that fear in peripheral zones of neighbourhoods would be greater than in the core areas. A household survey of a sample of 94 residents in both neighbourhoods confirmed the first hypothesis and failed to confirm the second. The difference in fear of crime between neighbourhoods was found to be linked to: the spatial incidence of residential burglary, perception that crime was increasing, dissatisfaction with neighbourhood as a place to live, poor home maintenance, the ability to recognise strangers, and risk of becoming a victim of burglary or assault. A model is proposed by means of which the relative importance of these factors may be better assessed and, if more fully developed, may be of some utility to those charged with the responsibility of reducing fear of crime in the community. The relative incidence of residential burglary in the two neighbourhoods appeared to be aligned with relative perceptions of the incidence of this offence suggesting that the influence of the media in aggravating fear levels may need to be tempered with an appreciation of the role of the local social and physical environment as a source of information about crime and the risk of victimisation.
Keywords: attitudes, criminal behaviour, fear of crime, victimisation, victims
Notes: M.Sc. thesis in Geography at The University of Auckland.
VICTIMS
Giving victims a voice
RESEARCH
Done by: Institute of Criminology (Victoria University of Wellington)
Funded by: Social Policy Agency (Department of Social Welfare)
Method: Literature review, qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Giving victims a voice: a New Zealand experiment
Author(s): Morris, Allison, Gabrielle M. Maxwell and Jeremy P. Robertson
Completed: YES, 1992
Availability: The Howard Journal, November 1993; 32(4):304-21
Description: ABSTRACT. More weight is now being given in many criminal justice systems to the needs and wishes of victims. Few jurisdictions, however, have gone as far as the recently introduced system of youth justice in New Zealand. There, a meeting is arranged between the victim (or their representatives), the young person who committed the offence, his or her family and a police officer to decide the appropriate response to the offending. The arguments behind this were that it would increase victim's satisfaction, enhance the prospects of reconciliation and provide a more effective means of restitution and reparation. In this article, we examine the extent to which these objectives have been met.
Keywords: alternative justice systems, offenders, prosecution, reparation, victims, youth
Notes:
VICTIMS
Injury from assault
RESEARCH
Done by: Injury Prevention Research Unit (University of Otago)
Funded by: Alcohol Liquor Advisory Council
Method: Quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Injury from assault: a public health problem
Author(s): Fanslow, J.L., D.J. Chalmers and J.D. Langley
Completed: YES
Availability: Otago University
Injury Prevention Research Unit Occasional Report No.
5.
ISBN 0-908958-03-X
Description: ABSTRACT. Injury purposely inflicted by other persons is a significant public health problem as well as a problem of law and order. It accounts for approximately three per cent of all injury deaths and four per cent of all injury hospitalisations in New Zealand. National injury mortality data for the period 1978-1987, supplemented by reference to files of the Coroners Court and the High Court, and injury morbidity data for 1988 were examined. These data were used to identify the characteristics of victims of assault who died or were hospitalised, the nature of the injuries they sustained, and the circumstances in which the injuries were inflicted. The overall homicide rate was 1.6 per 100,000 persons per year and the overall incidence rate for hospitalisations was 73.7 per 100,000 persons per year. The rates for males for both homicides and hospitalisations were the highest, with those 20-24 years of age most at risk (5.0 and 350.6, respectively). Maori had higher rates of both homicide and hospitalisation than non-Maori. Homicides were most frequently committed with cutting and piercing instruments, while most hospitalisations resulted from fights or brawls. For those cases for which the place of occurrence was known, most occurred in private homes, followed by streets and highways, and licensed premises. Homicides were most likely to occur on Fridays or Saturdays, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. In fifty-five percent of homicides the victims and assailant were previously known to one another. Significant increases in the rate of both homicide (1978-87) and assaults resulting in hospitalisation (1979-1988) were identified. Significant differences were found between assaults occurring in and around licensed premises and those occurring in other locations. The implications of these findings for the prevention of injury from assault are discussed.
Keywords: alcohol, crime statistics, domestic violence, health, victims, violent crime
Notes:
Title: Homicide in New Zealand: an increasing public health problem
Author(s): Fanslow, J.L., D.J. Chalmers and J.D. Langley
Completed: YES
Availability: Australian Journal of Public Health, 1995; 19:50-7
Description: ABSTRACT. Injury purposely inflicted by other persons is a significant public health problem as well as a criminal problem. It accounts for approximately 3 per cent of all deaths from injury in New Zealand. National injury mortality data for the period 1978 to 1987, supplemented by reference to files of the Coroner's Court and the High Court, were used to identify the characteristics of victims of homicide, the nature of the injuries they sustained, and the circumstances in which the injuries were inflicted. The mortality rate from homicide for the 10-year period was 1.6 per 100,000 persons per year. A significant increase in the rate of homicide was identified. The rates for males were higher (2.0) than those for females (1.2), with those 20 to 24 years of age most at risk. Maori had higher rates than non-Maori. Homicides were most frequently committed with cutting and piercing instruments, and most commonly occurred in private homes. Homicides were most likely to occur on Fridays or Saturdays, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. In 55 per cent of homicides the victim and assailant were known to one another. Unemployment, membership of ethnic minority groups, availability of weapons, the private nature of interactions in the home, alcohol consumption, and stress in personal relationships were all identified as factors associated with homicide in the decade under study. The implications of these findings for the prevention of injury from assault are discussed.
Keywords: health, homicide, Maori, victims, violent crime
Notes:
Title: Injury from assault in New Zealand: an increasing public health problem
Author(s): Chalmers D.J., J.L. Fanslow and J.D. Langley
Completed: YES
Availability: Australian Journal of Public Health, 1995; 19:149-54
Description: ABSTRACT. Injury purposely inflicted by other persons is a significant public health problem accounting for approximately 4 per cent of all injury hospitalisations in New Zealand. National injury morbidity data for the years 1979-1988 were examined. These data were used to identify the characteristics of victims of assault who were hospitalised, the nature of the injuries they sustained, and the circumstances in which the injuries were inflicted. The incidence of hospitalisations in 1988 was 73.7 per 100,000 persons per year. A significant increase in the rate of hospitalisations over the decade 1979-1988 was identified. The rates for males were higher than those for females, with males 20-24 years of age most at risk. Maori had higher rates than non-Maori. Fights or brawls were the leading cause of hospitalisation. The most common place of occurrence was private homes, followed by streets and highways, and licensed premises. The findings with regard to age, sex employment status and use of weapons were consistent with earlier studies. A higher proportion of incidents occurring in the home was attributed to differences in selection of cases between studies. An indication of under-reporting by women was attributed to concealment of intentionality, possibly owing to fear of reprisal. Standard hospital procedures were proposed as a means of improving identification.
Keywords: assault, health, victims, violent crime
Notes:
Title: Morbidity and death due to child abuse in New Zealand
Author(s): Kotch, J.B., D.J. Chalmers, J.L. Fanslow, S. Marshall and J.D. Langley
Completed: YES
Availability: Child Abuse and Neglect, 1993; 17:233-47
Description: ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to explore under-diagnosis and racial bias among child abuse morbidity and mortality data from New Zealand. Computerised files of all intentional injury fatalities among children 16 years of age and under for 1978-87, and all hospital discharges for intentionally injured children 16 and under for 1988, were analysed for evidence of physical abuse and sexual abuse. Among the 92 fatalities, only 21 of 68 deaths due to physical and/or sexual abuse were so coded. In both the mortality and the morbidity data, there was an association between the diagnosis of child abuse and race. In the case of fatalities, Maori and Samoan abuse victims were more likely to be assigned an E-code of E967 ("child battering and other maltreatment") than were "others" (p = 0.04), controlling for sex. In the case of hospitalisations, the association between E967 and whether or not the victim was European was significant for physical abuse only (p = 0.05). Assignment of N-code = 995.5 ("child maltreatment syndrome") as the reason for admission was significantly associated with race for those cases considered by us to have been abused, controlling for age (p = 0.002) or sex (p = 0.004).
Keywords: child abuse, ethnic issues, health, sexual abuse, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Intentional injury
RESEARCH
Done by: Injury Prevention Research Centre (The University of Auckland)
Funded by: Public Health Commission
Method: Literature review, qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Intentional injury in New Zealand
Author(s): Coggan, C., J. Fanslow and R. Norton
Completed: YES, June 1995
Availability: Available from Bennett's Government Bookstore. Wellington: Public Health Commission. ISBN 0-478-08551-6
Description: OVERVIEW. The purpose of this report was to provide an overview of intentional injury (injury as a result of assault, homicide, attempted suicide or suicide) in New Zealand. It has sought to do so by the analysis of up-to-date, routinely collected data on deaths and hospitalisations resulting from suicide and attempted suicide, and homicide and assault, in order to describe the incidence and groups at highest risk of intentional injury. It looks at which sectors of the population are most at risk with regard to various types of violence, the economic costs of these injuries, the impact on the individual and others, current policies and presents some recommendations aimed at bringing about interventions to reduce injury in this area. In addition, the scientific literature was reviewed in order to delineate the risk factors, impact, economic costs, interventions and policy issues associated with intentional injury. Given the paucity of literature on economic costs, an attempt was made to determine some estimated costs in this area. Key informant interviews were also conducted to assist in the identification of policy issues.
Keywords: assault, attempted suicide, costs of crime, domestic violence, economic costs, health, homicide, impact, interventions, Maori, risk factors, suicide, victims, youth
Notes:
VICTIMS
Mediation and reparation
RESEARCH
Done by: Author
Funded by: Department of Justice, and Winston Churchill Trust
Method: Literature review, qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: An investigation of victim-offender mediation and reparation schemes in the United Kingdom
Author(s): Shadbolt, Maureen
Completed: YES, January 1995
Availability: Apply to the author, Maureen Shadbolt, Waitakere Community Corrections Office, P O Box 21050, Henderson, (09) 837-0148.
Description: ABSTRACT [excerpt]. The New Zealand Community Corrections Service (formerly the Probation Service) works with victims through the medium of preparing reparation reports on the victims of offences. These reports canvass the physical and emotional effects of offences on victims as well as the offenders' willingness and ability to make recompense. At an early stage a model of advocating and mediating through face-to-face meetings of victims and offenders was developed, given research findings that showed both parties could gain from this process. Such meetings have been found to have beneficial effects on characteristic offender behaviours such as depersonalisation of victims and a denial of responsibility; these behaviours need to be addressed if recidivism is to be significantly reduced. Overseas research into the process of mediated meetings has also indicated positive outcomes for victims in regard to empowerment, and a reduction in emotional fears. The likelihood of financial compensation being paid to victims is also substantially increased through such participation. In recent years in this country, there has been little encouragement for probation officers to arrange such meetings. Negotiations are frequently undertaken by telephone or "shuttle" diplomacy. There are also new innovations proposed that will further reduce the opportunities for mediation. The intent was to investigate whether to continue Community Corrections involvement with victims, or to support appropriate community groups such as a proposed victims' service, in the facilitation of victim-offender mediation and reparation, from the experience of victim-offender mediation and reparation projects in Great Britain.
Keywords: alternative justice systems, community corrections, crime prevention, offenders, reparation, restorative justice, sentencing, sentencing effectiveness, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Older women's fear of crime
RESEARCH
Done by: Author
Funded by: -
Method: Qualitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Older women's fear of crime: contributing factors and effects
Author(s): Knaggs, Patricia
Completed: YES, February 1996
Availability: Victoria University of Wellington Library
Description: ABSTRACT [abridged]. This exploratory qualitative study seeks to identify the extent to which women over the age of 65 are fearful or concerned about crime. The women's level of personal vulnerability is also examined. It is argued that the range of precautionary behaviours employed by women of this age are very costly in terms of restricting their lifestyles. Factors which contribute to this behaviour and the extent to which these precautionary behaviours occur form the basis of this study. To explore these issues seven focus group discussions and 11 individual interviews were conducted over a period of several months. The sample consisted of 73 reasonably active older women who lived in Wellington and the Hutt Valley. Rural women and those who were socially isolated were not included in this sample. Further studies are required to determine the extent to which these women are concerned or anxious about their personal vulnerability... A major finding which emerges from this study is that the majority of the sample were very concerned about crime and most believe that they could easily become a victim. A wide range of precautionary behaviours were employed by the women as a way of reducing the likelihood of them becoming a victim. Women who live alone and who do not have private transport feel particularly vulnerable after dark and some of these practised a high level of precautionary behaviour. Implications for further research and for policy makers and programme planners are discussed. These include identifying reasons why older women appear to be reluctant to attend self defence courses, the role of the media on older women's fears and concerns about crime, the effect of fear of crime on the health of older women, and ensuring that programmes run for older women empower them rather than increase their existing fears about being a victim of crime.
Keywords: attitudes, community safety, domestic violence, fear of crime, gender issues, media, police, victimisation, victims, youth
Notes: M.A. (applied) in Social Science Research thesis at Victoria University of Wellington.
VICTIMS
Rape and fear of crime
RESEARCH
Done by: University of Canterbury Department of Geography
Funded by: University of Canterbury Department of Geography
Method: Qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Rape and fear in a New Zealand city
Author(s): Pawson, Eric and Glenn Banks
Completed: YES
Availability: Area, 1993; 25.1:55-63
Description: ABSTRACT. This paper constructs a geography of rape in a New Zealand city and explores the distribution of fear of violence. It demonstrates that such fear is widespread, particularly amongst women and the elderly. However, many younger women, those most at risk of rape, exhibit patterns of fear that indicate that they do not assume that private space is safer than public space in this respect.
Keywords: Christchurch, fear of crime, media, rape, victimisation
Notes:
Title: A geography of rape and fear: a case study of Christchurch
Author(s): Pawson, Eric and Glenn Banks
Completed: YES
Availability: Proceedings of the Fifteenth NZ Geography Conference, NZ Geographical Society, Christchurch, 1989; 118-22
Description: ABSTRACT. SEE "Description" for Rape and fear in a New Zealand city, above.
Keywords: Christchurch, fear of crime, rape, victimisation
Notes:
VICTIMS
Recall of child sexual abuse
RESEARCH
Done by: Authors
Funded by: University of Waikato Research Committee
Method: Literature review, qualitative study
Status: IN PROGRESS, expected completion date December 1997
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Language and repressed memory [working title]
Author(s): [Goldsmith, Mike and Catherine Pelissier]
Completed: NO, planned completion date December 1997
Availability: This research is still in the early stages, no reports/publications as yet.
Description: [Not provided]
Keywords: child sexual abuse, language, repressed memory
Notes:
VICTIMS
Repeat victimisation
RESEARCH
Done by: Author
Funded by: -
Method: Literature review, qualitative study, pilot programme evaluation
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Repeat victimisation: a preventable phenomena?
Author(s): Bradley, Trevor
Completed: YES
Availability: Request from author at
Institute of Criminology, Victoria University of
Wellington,
P O Box 600, Wellington.
Description: To examine extent/prevalence and nature of phenomena, and to critically evaluate the prevention initiatives developed as a response to repeat victimisation and compare/contrast N.Z. and British programmes. Interviews (Government department staff) for primary material; desktop based research (literature review, discourse analysis etc.) for secondary material.
Keywords: bias, community safety, crime prevention, crime statistics, domestic violence, fear of crime, gender issues, recidivism, victimisation, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Research on violence against women
RESEARCH
Done by: Injury Prevention Research Centre (The University of Auckland)
Funded by: Health Research Council of New Zealand
Method: Qualitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Violence against women: priorities for public health research in New Zealand
Author(s): Fanslow J.L. and R.N. Norton
Completed: YES
Availability: New Zealand Medical Journal, 1994; 107:63-4
Description: ABSTRACT. Violence against women is a significant public health problem. However, little is known about the most effective ways of reducing the consequent mortality, morbidity and disability. Given both the paucity of research in this area and limited resources, there is a need to identify priorities for research that have the support of caregivers, survivors of violence, policy makers and researchers. This paper presents the results of a national process of consultation, which was successful in identifying five priority areas for research in New Zealand. These areas are as follows: primary prevention; improving the responsiveness of health care professionals; economic costs of violence; incidence and prevalence; and secondary prevention.
Keywords: costs of crime, domestic violence, health, research priorities, victims
Notes:
Title: Violence towards women as a health issue: report on the consensus meetings
Author(s): Fanslow, J.L. and R.N. Norton
Completed: YES
Availability: The University of Auckland Injury Prevention Research Centre Report No. 2, 1992.
Description: A national process of consultation was conducted involving survivors of violence, caregivers, policy makers, and researchers working in the area of violence against women. The process was successful in identifying five priority areas for research in New Zealand: primary prevention (stopping violence before it starts); improving the responsiveness of health care professionals; estimating the economic costs of violence; establishing better estimates of the incidence and prevalence of violence; and secondary prevention (stopping violence from recurring).
Keywords: costs of crime, domestic violence, gender issues, health, research priorities, research questions, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Rights and compensation
RESEARCH
Done by: Author
Funded by: -
Method: Literature review
Status: IN PROGRESS, expected completion date end of 1996
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Victims rights and compensation
Author(s): Miller, John
Completed: NO, planned completion date 1997
Availability: -
Description: A handbook for victims of crime.
Keywords: victimisation, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Safety in Wellington
RESEARCH
Done by: Institute of Criminology (Victoria University of Wellington)
Funded by: -
Method: Quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Perceptions of safety in Wellington
Author(s): Beckett, L.
Completed: YES
Availability: Criminology No. 5, 1996. Wellington: Institute of Criminology, Victoria University of Wellington
Description: 250 questionnaires on perceptions of safety were distributed to groups in Wellington. 170 were returned. The article presents a summary of the findings.
Keywords: community safety, fear of crime
Notes: From an Honours paper.
VICTIMS
Suicide in Wellington
RESEARCH
Done by: Author
Funded by: -
Method: Qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Suicide in Wellington: a research paper covering services offered for persons in acute suicidal crisis; including recommendations
Author(s): Eriksen, Sonja
Completed: YES January 1996
Availability: Available from Victim Support, Police National Headquarters, Wellington.
Description: A research paper which identifies the services available for people in suicidal crisis; covering both 24 hour and working hour services, availability based on consumer identification (i.e. specific group - Maori, women, children, A.A.). Results found a large gap in 24 hour services, despite the hours of early morning being the most crucial hours for suicidal people. There were also few services available for people who did not belong to a specific group, or who did not have a primary issue which was allocated a service (i.e. Schizophrenia Fellowship, Alcoholics Anonymous, Child, Adolescent Health Services etc.). Recommendations have been made for the setting up of a Suicide Prevention Centre in Wellington. Every counselling/welfare agency in Wellington was contacted and given a scenario from which to provide responses to the services they could provide in that situation.
Keywords: attitudes, crime prevention, ethnic issues, health, human rights, legislation impacts, Maori, Pacific Islands peoples, rehabilitation, suicide prevention, victimisation, victims, youth
Notes:
VICTIMS
Traumatisation case study
RESEARCH
Done by: Author
Funded by: -
Method: Literature review, qualitative study
Status: IN PROGRESS, expected completion date November 1997
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: "To speak of an unspeakable act": the experience of a homicide survivor and victim of elder rape
Author(s): Teppett, Robert
Completed: NO, planned completion November 1997
Availability: -
Description: A life history study.
Keywords: victims
Notes: Towards a Masters Thesis in Social Policy.
VICTIMS
Victimisation survey
RESEARCH
Done by: Victoria Link, and AGB McNair
Funded by: NZ Police, Ministry of Justice, Crime Prevention Unit, Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development), Ministry of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Women's Affairs, Department of Social Welfare
Method: Qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: IN PROGRESS, expected completion date December 1996
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Victimisation survey [working title]
Author(s): -
Completed: NO, planned publication March 1997?
Availability: -
Description: Objectives. To provide an alternative measure of the incidence and effects of crime victimisation for comparison with other indicative measures of crime and social well-being. To provide additional measures of the incidence, prevalence and effects of, and responses to, family violence. To identify barriers that inhibit reporting of victimisation to support agencies, the reasons for non-reporting, and any shortcomings in the services provided by support agencies. To evaluate the achievements of Government with respect to crime prevention priorities, victim support mechanisms, and related strategies in order to develop more effective and efficient services and programmes. To ensure a standard of research methodology and practice that will guarantee the maximum safety and well-being of every participant in the project. Survey method. The survey comprises two major parts (with supplementary surveys planned for the future) as follows: 1. A general victimisation survey that will cover those basic areas of crime victimisation usually canvassed in modern sample surveys on crime victimisation (such as the British Crime Survey). The survey will cover a representative national sample of the population aged 15 years and over, with an adequate sample of Maori population to allow a separate analysis for Maori and comparison between Maori and non-Maori. ABG McNair interviewers are currently [June 1996] working around the country completing interviews for this part of the project. 2. A family violence survey that will comprise an additional measure of victimisation from a randomly selected sub-sample of the women in the general victimisation survey sample, further exploring the incidence, prevalence and effects of, and responses to, family violence. Although family violence will be canvassed in the general victimisation survey it will also be the subject of a separate survey owing to the high level of concern about it that currently exists in New Zealand society and in an attempt to overcome methodological difficulties associated with the measurement of this type of victimisation. Pilot-testing this part of the survey is currently under action by Victoria Link and AGB McNair.
Keywords: community safety, domestic violence, ethnic issues, fear of crime, Maori, offences, offenders, police, system efficiency/effectiveness, victimisation, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Victims court assistance
RESEARCH
Done by: Department of Justice
Funded by: Department of Justice
Method: Literature review, qualitative study, quantitative study, pilot programme evaluation
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Victims court assistance: an evaluation of the pilot scheme
Author(s): Church, Alison, Kate Lang, Jennifer Leigh, Patricia Te Wairere Ahiahi Young, Alison Gray and Nicolette Edgar
Completed: YES
Availability: Wellington: Department of Justice, February 1995. ISBN 0-477-07684-X
Description: During 1994, the Department of Justice piloted and evaluated a new scheme to provide assistance to victims in the courts. The evaluation investigated the effectiveness of the Victims Court Assistance scheme, and identified the salient features to be introduced in a proposed nation-wide scheme. The evaluators compared the experiences of victims who were clients of the scheme with the experiences of victims who had not had access to a Victims Court Assistant. They found that the scheme in general met its objectives, by informing victims about the progress of their case, and by assisting victims to participate in the criminal justice system. A Maori researcher carried out a parallel study of appropriateness of the scheme for Maori victims. This study found that Maori clients needed longer term support than was available through the scheme. The evaluators also gathered information from a range of key informants, from the records of the Victims Court Assistants, and from court records. This information identified a need for improvements to the scheme. The evaluators concluded that the scheme should be extended and made recommendations on the future implementation, operation and management of a nation-wide scheme. Recommendations were also made to improve the effectiveness of assistance for Maori victims.
Keywords: access to justice, courts, evaluation, information to victims, Maori, pilot scheme, victim participation, victims, Victims Court Assistance
Notes:
VICTIMS
Victims' needs
RESEARCH
Done by: Department of Justice
Funded by: Department of Justice
Method: Qualitative study, quantitative study
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Victims' needs: an issues paper
Author(s): Lee, A. and W. Searle
Completed: YES
Availability: Wellington: Department of Justice, September 1993. ISBN 0-477-07656-4
Description: Mail out questionnaire to groups and individuals who provide services to victims of crime, or whose work is associated with or has an impact on victims. The survey focused on areas where victims come into contact with the criminal justice system and other governmental or voluntary agencies.
Keywords: system efficiency/effectiveness, victims
Notes:
Title: Victims' needs: the results of the survey
Author(s): Lee, A., W. Searle and K. Atkinson
Completed: YES
Availability: Wellington: Department of Justice, September 1993. ISBN 0-477-07659-9
Description: To find out what victims' needs are and to find out how well legislative provisions which are concerned with victims are functioning. Surveyed groups and individuals who provide services to victims of crime or whose work is associated with or has an impact on victims.
Keywords: system efficiency/effectiveness, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Victims' needs bibliography
RESEARCH
Done by: Department of Justice
Funded by: Department of Justice
Method: Bibliography compilation
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: A select bibliography of New Zealand research on the needs of victims
Author(s): Atkinson, K., A. Lee and W. Searle
Completed: YES
Availability: Wellington: Department of Justice, March 1993. ISBN 0-477-07652-1
Description: A select bibliography of New Zealand Research on the needs of victims and the services provided to victims.
Keywords: victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Violence against seniors
RESEARCH
Done by: University of Canterbury Department of Geography, for the Planning and Research Unit, Christchurch Criminal Investigation Branch (C.I.B.) (NZ Police)
Funded by: Senior Citizens Unit (of Social Policy Agency, Department of Social Welfare), and NZ Police
Method: Literature review
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Violence against seniors: a literature review
Author(s): Planning and Research Unit, Christchurch C.I.B. - Written by Eric Pawson and Sarah Clark
Completed: YES, 1992
Availability: Access via Planning and Research Unit, Christchurch C.I.B., or contact Police College Library, Porirua.
Description: ABSTRACT. The review demonstrates that the available international research about seniors and violence is extensive, but that both research and data for the New Zealand situation is limited. There is clearly scope for more detailed and focused work on a number of themes. Notwithstanding this caution, however, it is established that seniors are less likely to be victims of crime, including violent crime, than people in younger age groups. In contrast, a high proportion of seniors, particularly women, fear crime. This proportion often exceeds that for people in younger age groups. However, establishing the incidence of senior abuse within the family and within institutions is not possible on the basis of presently available material on the subject. It is generally agreed that there are a number of factors that contribute to much of such abuse being hidden from view. Future policy development should be articulated at two levels. Firstly, it is necessary to establish a framework for policy. This must be based on agreement that the issue of violence against seniors is one worthy of immediate policy attention, as well as on a workable definition of such violence. It is recommended that the framework adopted focuses on four themes: identification, prevention, recovery and evaluation. Secondly, specific policy initiatives are then proposed in respect of each of these themes.
Keywords: access to justice, fear of crime, senior abuse, seniors, victimisation, victims, violent crime
Notes:
VICTIMS
Violence against women
RESEARCH
Done by: Department of Psychological Medicine, Otago Medical School
Funded by: Health Research Council, N.Z. Lottery Grants Commission
Method: Quantitative study
Status: COMPLETED
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Adult sexual assault in a community sample of women
Author(s): Martin, Judy, Sarah Romans, Jessie Anderson and Paul Mullen
Completed: YES
Availability: Proceedings of the OSAC Conference on Rape, April 1996
Description: The 497 Otago women who were interviewed as part of the Otago Women's Health Survey Abuse Study were asked about their experiences of sexual assault since the age of 15. The prevalence rate for the community was 19.6%. Over half of this was forced intercourse. Half of the women experienced an assault before the age of 20, and close to half were by partners.
Keywords: sexual assault, victims
Notes:
Title: Domestic violence in a community sample of Otago women
Author(s): Martin, Judy, Sarah Romans and Taraneh Bashir-Elahi
Completed: YES
Availability: Unpublished paper available from the first author, Department of Psychological Medicinem Otage Medical School.
Description: The 497 Otago women interviewed as part of the Otago Health Survey Abuse Study were asked about their experiences of physical violence from a male partner. Women ranged in age from 18 to 64. Women reported a high rate of physical violence from partners. Information on demographic correlates and risk factors is available..
Keywords: domestic violence, victims
Notes:
VICTIMS
Violence against women law reform
RESEARCH
Done by: Institute of Criminology (Victoria University of Wellington)
Funded by: -
Method: Literature review
Status: Completed
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
Title: Law reform initiatives on violence against women: successes and pitfalls
Author(s): Morris, Allison
Completed: YES
Availability: Victoria University of Wellington Institute of Criminology Occasional Paper No. 1, 1993
Description: Literature review of law reform initiatives on violence against women.
Keywords: domestic violence, gender issues, legislation impacts, victimisation
Notes:
