Exploring the effects of long-term anti-social behaviour victimisation

Abstract

Despite victimological interest in the impacts of different types of criminal victimisation, there is little empirical work that examines the effects of sub-criminal behaviour on victims. This article begins to redress the balance by reporting the findings from a qualitative research project in England that investigated the effects of long-term anti-social behaviour victimisation. Semi-structured interviews explored victims’ accounts of the long-term anti-social behaviour they experienced and the resultant effects it had on their lives. The research uncovered that victims experience a range of mental and physical health effects as well as behavioural changes and has provided the first in-depth insight into the impact of this type of victimisation. The findings suggest the cumulative harms associated with anti-social behaviour need to be better acknowledged, understood and addressed, with greater support made available to victims.

Preventive justice: Exploring the coercive power of community protection notices to tackle anti-social behaviour

“…The challenge faced by issuing officers is to balance the rights of the community to be free from the risk of future harms without disproportionately punishing the recipient based on the degree of ASB they have exhibited. Due to the extent and impacts of ASB victimisation (see Heap, 2020), a power such as the CPN can have beneficial impact in protecting individuals and communities experiencing harm. However, the tool requires reform so that the current design of CPNs and its ability to be misapplied does not undermine its potential value to victims of ASB.…”

Anti-social behaviour victims' experiences of activating the 'Community Trigger' case review

“…Participants' cases ranged from between one and 12 years, with the majority having suffered for around four-five years. In all instances, the behaviour had a substantial impact on victims' lives; regularly affecting daily routines and participants' physical and/or mental health (see Heap, 2020).…”

Claiming justice: Victims of crime and their perspectives of justice

“…Studies have documented the impact of victimization, especially of violence and sexual victimization, and the corrosive effects on inter-personal and social relationships in everyday and mass crimes (Heap, 2020;Stover and Weinstein, 2004). These have identified the range of consequencesphysical, emotional, material, social and financial -from the short to the longer term (Anderton, 2014;Mahuteau and Zhu, 2016).…”

“…Research of various types (household surveys, demographic estimates and small-scale studies) also reveals the nature and extent of victimization from more exceptional events; for example, the deaths, disappearances and dispossessions due to mass conflicts (for an overview, see Karstedt, 2013). Studies have documented the impact of victimization, especially of violence and sexual victimization, and the corrosive effects on inter-personal and social relationships in everyday and mass crimes (Heap, 2020; Stover and Weinstein, 2004). These have identified the range of consequences – physical, emotional, material, social and financial - from the short to the longer term (Anderton, 2014; Mahuteau and Zhu, 2016).…”