NCJ Number
143531
Journal
Home Office Research and Statistics Department Research Bulletin Issue: 33 Dated: (1993) Pages: 30-34
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This literature review focuses on long-term psychological victimization effects, particularly on victims of rape, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse.
Abstract
Most of the research to date has focused on immediate and short-term effects, but there is growing evidence that victims may suffer from long-term consequences. The victimological field has identified the effects on victims of crimes that were clearly perceived as serious, particularly sexual offenses. Long-term consequences may be physical, emotional, psychological, or behavioral. There is evidence that those who are most likely to be victimized are members of the community who are generally vulnerable¦the poor, women, ethnic groups, divorced persons, and those living alone or in one-parent families. Moreover, evidence showed that these groups suffer the worst consequences of crime. Other literature suggests that persons most likely to experience long-term problems are those least equipped to deal with their victimization or to change their social situation; this is particularly the case for persons suffering multiple victimizations. Although there are insufficient data to assess the long-term needs of crime victims, it seems clear that victim support programs should continue to broaden their efforts to work with victims of sexual assault, racial harassment, and families of murder victims. The development of structured partnerships between victim support groups and other organizations able to provide long-term assistance should be pursued. 27 references