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Assessing victim risk in cases of violent crime

Roxanne Khan (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
Victoria J Willan (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
Michelle Lowe (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
Phaedra Robinson (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
Matthew Brooks (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
May Irving (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
Rachel Stokes (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
Nicola Graham-Kevan (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
Marta Karwacka (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)
Jo Bryce (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom)

Safer Communities

ISSN: 1757-8043

Article publication date: 12 October 2015

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Abstract

Purpose

There is a body of evidence that suggests a range of psychosocial characteristics demarcate certain adults to be at an elevated risk for victimisation. The purpose of this paper is to examine consistency between one police force, and a corresponding Victim Support service based in England, in their assessment of level of risk faced by victims of violent crime.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explored matched data on 869 adult victims of violent crime gathered from these two key services in Preston, namely, Lancashire Constabulary and Victim Support, from which a sub-group of comparable “domestic violence” cases (n=211) were selected for further examination.

Findings

Data analyses revealed methodological inconsistencies in the assessment of victimisation resulting in discrepancies for recorded levels of risk in domestic violence cases across these two agencies.

Practical implications

These findings provide a compelling argument for developing a more uniformed approach to victim assessment and indicate a significant training need.

Originality/value

This paper highlights areas of good practice and forwards several recommendations for improved practice that emphasises the integration of empirical research conducted by psychologists to boost the validity and reliability of risk assessment approaches and tools used.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the European Union under Grant No. JUST/2011/JPEN/AG/2925. The authors would like to thank Lancashire Constabulary and Victim Support (Preston) for their continued support of this work.

Citation

Khan, R., Willan, V.J., Lowe, M., Robinson, P., Brooks, M., Irving, M., Stokes, R., Graham-Kevan, N., Karwacka, M. and Bryce, J. (2015), "Assessing victim risk in cases of violent crime", Safer Communities, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 203-211. https://doi.org/10.1108/SC-05-2015-0020

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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