Repeat Victimisation, Retraumatisation and Victim Vulnerability

Abstract

This study explores the contribution that traumatic experiences and psychological post-traumatic stress symptoms make to predicting subsequent revictimisation in a sample of violent crime victims. In addition, the timing of first trauma exposure was also explored. Fifty-four adult victims (27 male and 27 female) of police recorded violent crime were interviewed and their traumatic exposure history, trauma symptomology, age at first trauma exposure as well as psychological and psychosocial functioning were assessed. These victims were followed longitudinally and subsequent revictimisation between six and twelve months post index victimisation measured. A greater number of types of trauma exposure was related lower emotional stability, higher trauma symptomology and revictimisation. Those victims with childhood traumatic exposure reported more trauma symptomology exposure than those without prior exposure. The implications for law enforcement and victim services are discussed.

Trauma characteristics and posttraumatic growth: The mediating role of avoidance coping, intrusive thoughts, and social support.

“…While associated with increased distress, intrusive thoughts are necessary to prime more deliberate attempts to understand the meaning behind the event (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004). Literature (Helgeson, Reynolds, & Tomich, 2006) finds positive associations between intrusive thoughts and PTG, with childhood, interpersonal, and multiple events related to more intrusions (Graham-Kevan et al, 2015; Shakespeare-Finch & Armstrong, 2010). In addition, intrusive thoughts can explain relationships between traumatic events and negative outcomes, such as depression (Kliewer, Lepore, Oskin, & Johnson, 1998), although the extent to which intrusions mediate positive outcomes is unknown.…”

Parental Non-Engagement within Child Protection Services—How Can Understandings of Complex Trauma and Epistemic Trust Help?

“…Here, Holly described a familial pattern whereby violence has become normalised and the patterns of abuse that characterised her childhood have influenced her relationships in adulthood. This is an important factor in considering a complex trauma profile as evidence suggests that survivors of childhood maltreatment are at elevated risk of re-victimisation across the lifespan [68].…”