Smart on Crime Blog

Victims of Crime: Consequences and the aftermath of victimization

Posted on: July 10th, 2011 by Smart on Crime

This is the third in a series of blog posts regarding victims of crime in Canada. In the second post I mentioned the importance of root causes of crime and building resiliency. This blog looks at the consequences of being a victim of crime and some of the issues they experience.

Prevention is important, but so is assisting victims to deal with the trauma they have experienced. The more likely a victim is to receive support from people close to them, the more likely they are to seek professional help. Having support from people close to victims, and seeking professional help, allows victims to deal with the consequences of being a victim of crime in a constructive way.

One of the major consequences of being a victim of crime is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms include terrifying memories, avoiding reminders of the trauma, increased anxiety and sleep disturbances. These symptoms usually begin three months after the trauma occurs, but may surface years later.

In addition to PTSD, victims may use substances to deal with the consequences of their victimization. Victims may engage in substance use to mask the pain they experience. This is important to be aware of when working with victims, or those with substance use issues.
Resources used in this post:
The Impact of Victimization (Pdf)
The Impacts and Consequences of Criminal Victimization
Correlations between Substance Abuse and Victimization (Video)

Author: Tracie McGrath-Levis
Tracie McGrath-Levi is a completing a student placement with WRCPC and has contributed previous posts to Smart on Crime. In addition to completing her Bachelor of Social Work degree at Renison College, University of Waterloo, Tracie works full-time with the John Howard Society in Milton. In her role there Tracie works in court four days a week in an adult diversion program and in bail.

Victims of Crime: The importance of root causes and prevention

Posted on: July 7th, 2011 by Smart on Crime

This is the second in a series of four blog posts regarding victims of crime in Canada. In the first blog I mentioned that 2% of the population experienced 60% of all violent crimes. When people experience more than one violent crime this is called multiple victimization. Multiple victimization is why such a small amount of the population experiences such a high volume of the violent crime in Canada.

So what allows the 2% to experience 60% of all violent crime? Can we prevent multiple victimization for these people? Would the prevention of multiple victimization lower the crime rate? Are there characteristics that make that 2% more vulnerable to violent crime?

Research doesn’t exactly answer all of those questions, but it does acknowledge that certain risk factors are associated with becoming a victim of crime. Research also states that these same characteristics do not increase the likelihood for being the victim of multiple crimes.

If there are no characteristics to help protect that 2% of the population from experiencing multiple victimization, we need to focus on preventing crime. To prevent crime, and ultimately people becoming victims, we need to look at the root causes, something the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council stresses as important. To be smart on crime means understanding why it happens, and preventing it before it does.

Protective factors are also important to prevent people from becoming victims of crime. Some of the protective factors highlighted by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council include problem resolution, organized recreation activities, possibilities for participation in the community, self-confidence, self-control, and a strong self-image. These protective factors encourage resiliency and autonomy.

When we encourage resiliency and autonomy, we help protect people from becoming victims of crime. This is something that will take time, so how can we deal more effectively with victims of crime in the mean time. What are the consequences of being a victim of crime?

I will take a look at these questions in the next article on the consequences and aftermath of being a victim of crime.

Resources used in this post:
Public Safety Canada
Institute for the Prevention of Crime
Root Causes of Crime Map

Victims of Crime in Canada: An Introduction

Posted on: July 5th, 2011 by Smart on Crime

Being a victim of crime affects the victim personally, and the larger community. This is a series of blog posts about victims of crime in Canada. Throughout the series, I draw on several current resources to help us understand victimization, and why preventing victimization is smart on crime.

We need to understand victimization, and the needs of victims of crime, because of the impact being a victim has on their lives, and the huge cost to society. As a caring society we need to support victims. We need to help them overcome the trauma they have experienced.

Here are a few things you might not know about victims of crime in Canada:

Only one quarter of Canadians reported being victims in 2009
93% of Canadians feel safe and think they will not become victims
81% of assault victims know the perpetrator
50% of victims of a violent crime suffer moderate or extreme distress
The cost of pain and suffering experienced by victims of crime in 2008 totaled over $65 billion
In 2004, 2% of the population experienced 60% of all violent crime

Information like this raises questions about how to best support people when they become victims of crime. For example, what is it about that 2% of the population that make them so vulnerable to violent crime? What can we do to help them? Can we prevent further victimization?

I will look at these questions in more depth in three additional blog posts. I will take a look at the importance of addressing root causes of crime, the consequences and aftermath for victims of crime and supports for victims within our Waterloo Region community.

Resources used in this post:
Introduction to Intervention with Crime Victims (2011)
Multiple Victimization in Canada, 2004

Smart Link of the Day: What works? What doesn’t?

Posted on: June 22nd, 2011 by Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Early this week, the U.S. Justice Department launched a new website. Crime Solutions does one simple thing – it tells me what works and what doesn’t when it comes to effective programs and initiatives in criminal justice, crime prevention and services for victims of crime.

I love their simple, and visual, rating system. It uses evidence based research to tell me whether or not a program is successful at achieving its goals. Brilliant.

If you’re a research geek like many of us in the Crime Prevention Council office, you can also dig into the methodology behind the reviews, the evaluation outcomes and the studies referenced in the process.

Smart on Crime in Waterloo Region clearly supports evidence based practice for crime prevention. In fact, we would go so far as to say that being smart on crime means we support initiatives and programs that are shown to work or have promise, and that we stop supporting initiatives and programs that don’t work.

Makes good, smart sense.

Public Safety Canada also publishes a list of Promising and Model Crime Prevention Programs. It’s always great to have access to Canadian examples and several of the projects listed in this report we are familiar with. It would be great to see some more dynamic information about the programs… the U.S Justice Department just might be leading the way on that front.

Immigration and Crime: Not what you might think

Posted on: June 17th, 2011 by Smart on Crime

Waterloo Region is host to the fifth largest population of newcomers in Canada. As a student completing my masters in social work and doing a work placement at the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC), I’ve come to wonder about the perceptions that citizens have about immigration and crime. During my time at WRCPC, this topic really caught my interest because I am very interested in new comers’ experiences and addressing the challenges they face when integrating into Canadian society.

Last year, approximately 280,000 immigrants were granted permanent residence status in Canada, making 2010 the highest in over fifty years. In the June issue of The Walrus magazine, Rachel Giese writes a very relevant article, “Arrival of the Fittest”. She sets the context for a discussion on dropping crime rates and rising immigrant within the story of a ship from Sri Lanka carrying 492 Tamils, including women and children. She brings attention to the poor reception of these refugees who desired to come to Canada to flee the devastation in their country, twenty-six years of civil war and the 2004 tsunami. Giese talks about Canada’s lack of understanding or empathy for this population, who have been referred to as “gatecrashers” for wanting to come to Canada for safety.

Canada’s acceptance of immigrants has become and will continue to become one of the staples of our economy. In my studies I have come to understand that not only is immigration necessary for the stability of our workforce and economy, but it also allows Canada to welcome a variety of talented, caring and unique individuals and families into our diverse nation. Giese points to a recent Canadian poll that found that 46% of Canadians believed immigration was having a negative effect on the country. Additionally, she mentions that “in times of social upheaval and economic hardship, immigrants are a convenient scapegoat, accused of bringing with them an element of deviance and criminality: they upset the social order, the line goes, steal our jobs and our property, and ruin our neighborhoods.”

But, is there really evidence to show that immigration contributes to higher crime rates? On the contrary, “Arrival of the Fittest” suggests that crime rates are dropping as immigration increases, especially in areas with high immigrant populations. Several American studies mentioned in this Time magazine article show similar evidence that increased immigration does not lead to increased crime. For example, results of one study showed that third generation Americans were 45% more likely to commit violent acts than first generation immigrants of any background.

I believe that we have some valuable lessons to learn from the sense of community and support that new comer populations often bring with them from other countries. A connected community means a strong community. Instead of allowing new comers to become the “scapegoat” for criminal activity and crime rates, Canadians should take advantage of the opportunity to get to know their neighbours, no matter where they were born, and forge a new, stronger sense of community. A community where neighbours accept, care and look out for one another. Just some food for thought!

Author: Jacinda Clouthier
In addition to completing her Masters of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University, Jacinda works with Veteran’s Affairs in Pembroke,Ontario, assisting ill or injured military members upon their return from the Canadian Forces.

Smart Link of the Day: Alberta and Crime Prevention

Posted on: May 20th, 2011 by Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Over the last 5 years, the province of Alberta (Canada) has been making and taking great strides in proactive crime prevention. Not just in theory, but in practice. Just last week, they released their Crime Prevention Framework.

“Research has shown us that reacting to crime with enforcement efforts does not result in reduction [of crime] to the levels Albertans want to see. Crime prevention through policies and programs that address the underlying factors contributing to crime is necessary if we are to make Alberta a safer place.”

“Crime prevention is a responsibility shared by individual citizens, families, neighbourhoods, municipalities, community-based service delivery agencies, the private sector, and all levels of government.”

It sounds like we’re singing from the same songbook… Here in Waterloo Region, we also have a root causes/risk factors approach to crime prevention and the belief that together, we can make our community stronger and safer.

‘Smart on crime’ is growing!

Smart Link of the Day: Walking the Smart Talk

Posted on: May 8th, 2011 by Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris is talking our language of ‘smart’. Okay, so maybe she’s a little bit ahead of us…. she has already written a book “Smart on Crime“, and has a state-wide Smart on Crime Transition Team to assist her with the monumental task of overhauling California’s approach to crime and crime prevention.

More specifically, Harris recently outlined her Office’s philosophy and approach to dealing with gang problems in many of California’s major cities. The language of ‘smart’ is easy to find.

solutions to issues of gang violence can be learned from public health approaches
gang issues need to be addressed through with a combination of prevention, intervention and enforcement
issues must be addressed consistently across regions rather than each city working in isolation
schools and education can play a major role in reducing risk factors for youth
rely on evidence-based intervention programs to help youth exit gangs when they are ready

Here in the Region of Waterloo we also have a ‘smart’ approach to addressing the issue of youth in our community who are gang involved at risk joining a gang. inREACH is operating locally to provide youth with one-on-one support, group work, housing support, employment counselling, addictions support and recreational activities. inREACH works as a collaborative of community agencies and schools wholly invested in supporting the success of young people wanting to make a change.

We all benefit when this happens.

Smart on crime, indeed.

What we’re reading: Network Evaluation

Posted on: May 2nd, 2011 by Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Title: Network Evaluation | Cultivating Healthy Networks for Social Change

Authors: The Centre for Social Innovation & Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation

This book addresses that big, hairy question…. How do we know if our networks are really working? In practical and theoretical ways, this small pocket-sized book, digs into the how and why of network evaluation. More than 2/3 of the book is given over to the ‘Evaluator’s Toolbox” – a series of worksheets that help you build a framework for evaluating your network.

I find myself picking up this book every now and again because I find something clever and creative each time I open the pages. It’s a great perspective shifter. As we work on restructuring the network of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council to establish the best possible foundation for social change oriented crime prevention, this little book will prove to be very handy.

Pdf copies of the book can be downloaded here. You can also purchase a copy of the book here.

For more information about the book, visit The Centre for Social Innovation.

World Wide Wednesday: Creativity, Innovation and Substance Use Treatment

Posted on: April 29th, 2011 by Smart on Crime

Each month we focus on research, blogs and news from around the world addressing smart approaches to crime prevention. We’re always on the lookout for websites and resources to draw from. Since the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (WRIDS) Task Force is deep into the data collection phase of their project, it seems only fitting that we share some items related to substance use and addictions within communities.

The following programs and initiatives illustrate several Smart on Crime directions including Education and Learning, as they aim to educate clinicians and the public about diverse ways to deal with substance use.

[Canada] The Calgary Drug Treatment Court (CDTC) started operations in May of 2007 having obtained funding through the City of Calgary. The program requires offenders to complete three stages: a mandatory residential treatment stage, a rehabilitation stage to help men and women re-enter the community as clean, sober, crime-free citizens, and a graduation and sentencing stage. Lasting an average of 18 months, offenders are required to appear weekly before a judge and participate in regular drug testing. A multi-disciplinary approach fosters success for participants by providing wrap-around services for those seeking help.

More information: The Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Courts

[United States] The ‘warm line’ is a free, nationwide service launched recently on April 8, 2011 which offers peer-to-peer mentorship and resources for primary care physicians on incorporating screening and follow-up for substance-using patients into regular patient care. The ‘warm line’ service offers responses within 24 hours to physicians and other health care providers at no cost. Registration is required, and all physicians are provided with the contact information of a mentor who is a specialist in screening, brief intervention, treatment and referral for patients with substance use problems. Mentors can then be contacted, via phone or email, with specific questions about clinical situations involving alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. The initiative stresses the importance of the patient-doctor relationship in identifying unhealthy behaviors before they evolve into life threatening conditions.

Screening Tool Examples | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

[Kenya] Drug addiction? Try community therapy. The Therapeutic Community (TC) model has the ability to heal, restore and transform an addict. Research-based evidence by the International Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has documented the success of this model in treating individuals with drug problems stemming from social and psychological causes. Its success comes from peers helping peers and “community as method,” ensuring everyone in the community plays a role.
Locally, the Stonehenge Therapeutic Community in Guelph is an example of the initiative recommended for those communities dealing with addiction issues including Cost Province, Kenya.

Therapeutic Community | Stonehenge Therapuetic Community

Authored by: Tracie McGrath-Levis, BSW Practicum Student to WRCPC

What additional resources would you recommend related to women, violence and crime? Have your read anything thought provoking that you care to share? Post a comment to let us (and other readers) know about it!

Finding Direction in What Works for Others

Posted on: April 26th, 2011 by Smart on Crime

Sounds like a smart approach to me.

As the United States struggles to deal with its over-burdened and over-flowing prison system, a great deal of evidence-based research is emerging that points toward options for reducing over-incarceration without compromising public safety and improving approaches for dealing with complex social issues.

A recent publication from the U.S. based Justice Policy Institute, “compares and contrasts the criminal justice policies and social, economic, and governmental structures of five countries – Australia, Canada, England and Wales, Finland and Germany – to the United States.”

“The United States incarcerates more people than any other nation and holds 25 percent of the world’s total imprisoned population,” said JPI executive director Tracy Velázquez. “As federal, state, and local governments are trying to make ends meet during particularly difficult economic times, they need to broadly rethink what options might be available to them. We hope this report helps policymakers re-imagine justice systems to save taxpayers money, treat people fairly and make us safer at the same time.”

This report also contains relevant information for Canada!