You are here

Victimology and Victim Assistance
Share
Share

Victimology and Victim Assistance
Advocacy, Intervention, and Restoration



December 2018 | 400 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Victimology and Victim Assistance offers insights into the criminal justice system from the perspective of often overlooked participants—victims. Delving into victim involvement in the criminal justice system, the impact of crime on victims, and new directions in victimology and victim assistance, authors Yoshiko Takahashi and Chadley James provide crucial insights and practical applications into the field of victim assistance. With an emphasis on advocacy, intervention, and restoration, this book examines real issues and barriers in the criminal justice system for victims and offers a way forward for future criminal justice or other human service professionals.

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
PART I. FOUNDATIONS
 
CHAPTER 1. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES OF VICTIMOLOGY AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE
History of Victimology

 
History of Victim Assistance

 
Legislative and Policy Development of Victims’ Rights

 
Types of Victim Services

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 2. THEORIES OF VICTIMIZATION
Pioneers in Victimology

 
Theories of Victimization

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 3. THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF VICTIMIZATION
Primary Source of Crime Victim Data in the United States

 
International Crime Statistics

 
The Nature and Extent of Victimization

 
Fear of Crime

 
Recurring Victimization

 
Costs of Victimization

 
Victim Reporting Behaviors

 
Sources of Victim Services

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 4. TRAUMA AND RECOVERY OF VICTIMS
Physiological Impact of Victimization

 
Definitions of Stress and Trauma

 
Responses to Trauma

 
Reducing and Preventing Trauma

 
Stages of Recovery

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
PART II. UNDERSTANDING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE
 
CHAPTER 5. THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE
Policing in America

 
Victims’ Initial Contact With the Police

 
Role of Victim Advocates

 
Different Types of Victim Services

 
Specific Types of Victims and Law Enforcement

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 6. THE COURT PROCESS AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE
The Court Process

 
Victim Involvement in the Court Process

 
Assisting Victims of Crime

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 7. CORRECTIONS, PRISON VIOLENCE, AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE
Correctional Systems

 
Victim Services and Programs in Correctional Settings

 
Victim Involvement in Correctional Programs

 
Victim Notification

 
Prison Violence and Victimization in Prison

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 8. JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE
Historical Overview of the Juvenile Justice System

 
Rights of Victims of Juvenile Crime

 
Victims of Juvenile Crimes

 
Juvenile Justice Process

 
Child Welfare System

 
Youth in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems

 
Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice System

 
Balanced and Restorative Justice for Juveniles

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
PART III. IMPACT OF CRIME ON VICTIMS
 
CHAPTER 9. VICTIM ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE: CHILD ABUSE AND ELDER ABUSE
What Is Family Violence?

 
Victim Assistance for Child Abuse Victims

 
Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect

 
Effects of Child Abuse on Victims

 
Effective Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect

 
Human Trafficking of Children

 
Victim Assistance for Victims of Elder Abuse

 
Defining Elder Abuse and Neglect

 
Effects of Elder Abuse on Victims

 
Effective Responses to Elder Abuse and Neglect

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 10. VICTIM ASSISTANCE FOR INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Victim Assistance for Intimate Partner Violence Victims

 
Defining Intimate Partner Violence

 
Effects on Victims

 
Effective Responses to Intimate Partner Violence

 
Why Victims Find It Challenging to Leave Abuse Relationships

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 11. VICTIM ASSISTANCE FOR SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION
What is Sexual Victimization?

 
Victim Assistance for Victims of Sexual Violence

 
Rape Trauma Syndrome

 
Effective Responses to Victims of Sexual Victimization

 
Human Trafficking

 
Victim Assistance for Sexual Violence Victims on College Campuses

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 12. VICTIM ASSISTANCE FOR CYBER-CRIME
What Is Cyber-Crime?

 
Extent of Internet Fraud

 
Effective Responses to Victims of Cyber-Crime

 
What Is Cyber-Bullying and Stalking?

 
Extent of Cyber-Bullying and Cyber-Stalking

 
Effective Responses to Victims of Cyber-Bullying and Cyber-Stalking

 
What Is Cyber Child Sexual Exploitation?

 
Extent of Cyber Child Sexual Exploitation

 
Effective Responses to Child Sexual Exploitation

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
PART IV. NEW DIRECTIONS IN VICTIM ASSISTANCE
 
CHAPTER 13. PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS IN VICTIM ASSISTANCE
Ethics in Victim Assistance

 
Ethical Dilemmas and Ethical Decision Making

 
Special Considerations in Victim Services

 
Challenges in Serving Victims

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 14. COLLABORATIVE RESPONSES TO VICTIMS
Collaborative Approaches

 
Five Steps of Collaborative Processes

 
Advantages of Collaborative Working Relationships

 
Challenges to Successful Working Relationships

 
Service Delivery Models

 
Examples of Collaborative Efforts

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
CHAPTER 15. CHALLENGES IN VICTIM SERVICES
Looking Ahead

 
Victim Assistance for Human Trafficking Victims

 
Victim Assistance for Victims of Terrorism

 
International Collaboration and Victim Assistance

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Internet Resources

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Appendix
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

Instructor Teaching Site

The password-protected Instructor Resource Site includes the following:

  • Test banks provide a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity to edit any question and/or insert personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding
  • Editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides offer complete flexibility for creating a multimedia presentation for the course
  • Sample course syllabi for semester and quarter courses provide suggested models for structuring one’s course

Victimology and Victim Assistance is the most encompassing victimology text on the market. The text provides a true account of how the criminal justice system both assists and hinders victims and is very distinct from the current victimology textbooks available. This book has modern cases, procedures, and pushes the boundaries for what society has previously acknowledged as victimizations. The text also discusses real issues and barriers to the criminal justice system involving victims, for example, the use of rape kits and how many go unprocessed.”

Ronicka Schottel
Peru State College

“This text is very informative and will add breadth and depth to the topic of victimization. The book is distinct because it talks a lot of the physiological consequences of victimization and gives a solid overview about the history of victimization.”

Damon J. Bullock
Western New Mexico University

“The distinction of this text from others is the information on signs and symptoms of trauma as well as the information on collaborative services. What makes this textbook distinct from other books I’ve reviewed is the additional information on those who victimize also being a victim. Another distinction is the section on cybercrimes and resources available."

Joy D. Patton
University of North Texas at Dallas

“I would describe this text as an excellent and current volume on victimology that is thorough in covering salient issues in the field.  It is well written, understandable, complete, and enjoyable to read and provides comprehensive knowledge and thorough information. This text is very distinct from other texts. It is the most current one I am aware of with focus on the key areas and relevant topics to the field in present times. It is up to date, thorough and written in a manner easy to read yet comprehensive in providing vital information necessary for a good grasp of the field.”

Karen L. Bune
Marymount University

“Good coverage of the material, easy to read and comprehensive. I appreciate more content on the victim and the psychological symptoms and causes.”

Greg Scott
Kuyper College

“This text covers subject matter missed in other victimology texts. The coverage of victimology theory is very well-done and will be easy for students to pick up. I found it to be distinct in the way that it incorporates the offender’s side as a victim as well in the criminal justice system. Ignoring this area could lead to future criminal behavior and more victims.”

Michelle L. Foster
Kent State University
Key features

KEY FEATURES:   

  • Case studies are used throughout the text to provide realistic and factual depictions of victims, humanize the topics covered, and help facilitate discussion.
  • Victim assistance programs are highlighted throughout the chapters to orient students towards resources that are actively working to support victims. 
  • Coverage of crucial topics like human trafficking, cybercrime, and trauma-informed care offer students contemporary insights into the field of victim assistance.
  • Critical thinking questions throughout the text assist in facilitating stimulating in-class discussions.