1. Specific roles and responsibilities of the police in victim assistance : police officers' viewIrma Kovčo Vukadin, Renato Matić, 2011, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose:
The purpose of this research was to assess police officers’ views and their current practice in dealing with victims and to test differences in their attitudes regarding their gender, personal experience of victimization and years of professional experience.
Design/Methods/Approach:
A questionnaire based on the UN Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power was applied to two generations of police officers (N=155), who attended the victimology course. Descriptive statistics, discriminant analysis and chi-square test were used.
Findings:
Police officers mostly agree with good standards in treating victims’ rights. Discriminant analysis revealed no significant difference regarding police officers’ gender and personal experience of victimisation. Chi-square test revealed differences regarding years of professional experience in 3 of 31 analyzed items.
Research limitations:
The results are not generalizable since convenient sample was used. Another question to be considered is police officers’ attendance of the victimology course (although the questionnaire was carried out on the first class of students), which might lead police officers into giving socially desirable answers.
Practical implications:
This research gives valuable information to police strategic structures regarding the evaluation of the current practice and the creation of protocols and education programs.
Originality/Value:
This is the first research on this topic in Croatia. It gives insight into police officers’ views, and their current practice in treating victims.
Keywords: police officers, crime victims, attitudes, social expectations
Published in DKUM: 04.05.2020; Views: 655; Downloads: 26
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2. Victim-offender mediation and observance of procedural rights in the Macedonian juvenile justice system : competitive or balancing?Stojanka Mirčeva, Vesna Stefanovska, Bogdancho Gogov, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose:
The paper examines the observance of procedural rights of the parties referred to Victim-Offender Mediation (VOM) in the Justice System for Children (JSC), and particularly pioneering practice associated with challenges pertaining to the multicultural character of the community.
Design/Methods/Approach:
Analysis is based on qualitative data collected by using in-depth interviews and document analysis. Sources of data were relevant stakeholders in the referral procedure, the Child and the Victim, as well as court/prosecutors files. In-depth interviews were carried out with 17 stakeholders to capture professional attitudes, attached meanings and experience of the respondents in relation to VOM. Document analysis as a data collection technique was applied to two prosecutor’s files and one court file which, at present, are the only cases of VOM in JSC.
Findings:
The main findings pertain to the indispensable recognition that meanings attributed to VOM in JSC, as well as expectations, vary extensively among respondents. In turn, this situation shapes the procedural rights of the parties in 3 VOM cases. In addition, basic principles of VOM are implemented in line with the perceived significance of procedural rights in VOM cases.
Research Limitations / Implications:
The findings relate only to respondents’ attitudes and views on VOM as well as data contained in court/prosecutor’s files. In-depth knowledge on the implementation of procedural rights during VOM process is missing due to the impossibility for participatory observation of the joint meetings.
Originality/Value:
While across Europe much research on balancing VOM principles and fair trial standards has been conducted, no research at all has been carried out in Macedonia in relation to VOM in JSC. This small scale survey is particularly valuable in filling up the existing empirical gap, and findings might be used as a basis for developing system prerequisites for VOM.
Keywords: victim-offender mediation, child offenders, victims, Macedonian Justice System for Children
Published in DKUM: 16.04.2020; Views: 608; Downloads: 36
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3. Attitudes regarding criminal justice responses to sex trafficking among law enforcement officers in Bosnia and HerzegovinaLisa R. Muftić, 2013, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose:
The purpose of this research study is to examine law enforcement officers’ attitudes pertaining to the sanctioning of individuals involved in the sex trade, with a particular focus on sex trafficking victims, sex traffickers, and men who purchase sex (herein referred to as customers).
Design/Methods/Approach:
The current study relies on self-reported survey data from the Bosnian Border Police (BP) officers (n = 363) collected in the summer of 2011 to assess officers’ attitudes regarding the sex trade. Participants were asked to respond to a variety of statements reflecting attitudinal factors related to prostitution myths and criminal justice responses to sex trafficking victims, sex traffickers, and customers.
Findings:
Results from a series of multivariate statistical analyses indicate several factors to be associated with an officer’s support for the arrest, incarceration, and deportation of trafficking victims, traffickers, and customers. These include adherence to prostitution myths, whether or not the officer had received training pertaining to human trafficking, and the officer’s sex.
Research limitations/implications:
Avenues for future research include an examination of the impact attitudes have on police behavior, an analysis of the content, duration and frequency of training programs offered to law enforcement, and consideration of the impact personal experiences with the sex trade have on attitude formation among the police.
Practical implications:
Findings presented have important implications for anti-trafficking programs, in particular those designed to educate and train criminal justice officials. Training programs need to include the provision of factual information regarding prostitution and sex trafficking.
Keywords: police, prostitution, victims of trafficking, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published in DKUM: 10.07.2015; Views: 647; Downloads: 44
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