Ruback, R. Barry, & Thompson, Martie P. Social and Psychological Consequences of Violent Victimization

Adolescence, Fall, 2005

RUBACK, R. Barry, & THOMPSON, Martie P. Social and Psychological Consequences of Violent Victimization. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2001. 256pp. $51.95 (p), $115.00 (h).

What are the effects that violent crime has on our everyday lives, both in terms of the individual victims and their larger community? This text draws from both the fields of criminology and psychology to provide a comprehensive examination of the two major areas that are most significantly affected by violent crime--the crime victims themselves and the larger sphere of their families, friends, neighborhoods, and communities. Beginning with a discussion of how we measure and study violent victimization, the authors look at the immediate and long-term impact violent acts have upon the direct victims. They then examine "secondary victims"--family members, neighbors, friends, and the professionals involved with investigating and prosecuting the crime and helping the victim, and also the impacts of violent crime on neighborhoods and communities. The authors conclude with recommendations of effective interventions that can be made at the levels of the individual, the community, and the criminal justice and mental health systems.