Understanding ‘Happy Slapping’

Abstract

There have been several cases worldwide of a phenomenon termed ‘happy slapping’ in the recent years. This paper discusses happy slapping and undertakes an analysis of this new crime trend. The analysis is undertaken using four angles (the ‘CLIP profiling approach’ employed by the Behavioural Sciences Unit, Singapore) using five case studies from different parts of the world: a criminalistics and forensic science perspective, a legal perspective, an investigative and operational perspective and a psychological perspective. Each perspective provides a richer understanding of this new phenomenon. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research on this phenomenon.

A comparison of offending trajectories in violent youth according to violence type

“…Although media reports focus on the individual characteristics of such youths and one might anticipate that psychopathy would increase the risk of appetitive violence, given associated qualities including callous and unemotional traits (Frick and White, ), research suggests that social, and in particular peer factors, are more influential in determining which individuals will engage in appetitive violence (Ching et al, ). This finding is consistent with Chan et al () who found that happy slapping by juvenile offenders was more likely to occur when co‐offender(s) were present and also Morrell and Scott () who report that group dynamics may result in some young people feeling anonymous, allowing them to behave in uncharacteristic ways. These findings are also consistent with Gardner and Steinberg's () experimental work on risk taking, which suggested that adolescents focus more on the benefits than the costs of risky behaviour when in peer groups.…”

Responding To Cyberbullying: The Case For Family Conferencing

“…18 Happy slapping involves the filming of a physical assault on a victim and the subsequent distribution of the film to humiliate the victim publicly. 19 Exclusion involves a victim being purposely excluded from entering online 'areas' such as a particular chatroom or discussion group by members of those online domains. 20 Outing and trickery are tactics applied together.…”

Cyberbullying: The Shades of Harm

“…Happy slapping involves the filming of a physical assault on a victims and the subsequent distribution of the film to humiliate the victim publically (Chan et al, 2012). Exclusion involves a victim not being allowed to enter online "areas" such as a particular chatroom or discussion group by being purposely excluded by members of those online domains (Willard, 2007).…”

“…Recent research conducted by Chan et al (2012) examining "happy slapping" reinforces that "the negative victim impact caused by experiencing that assault, filming and video distribution must not be underestimated or ignored". A victim's loss of control as to where the video will be disseminated to, and if it will ever stop, remains even after the attack, and indefinitely (Chan et al, 2012).…”

“…A victim's loss of control as to where the video will be disseminated to, and if it will ever stop, remains even after the attack, and indefinitely (Chan et al, 2012). This research supports the studies identified above, the authors concluding that the added component of filming the assault and then distributing the video involved in "happy slapping" is likely to worsen the severity and duration of the negative impact on the victim (Chan et al, 2012). This inherently harmful conduct is likely to infringe upon a victim's quality of life and intrude upon individual interests in a serious manner.…”