Preventing Secondary victimization

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Preventing Secondary victimization

• Vidya Shankar
• Relief Foundation

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What is Secondary Victimization

• Victimization which occurs, not as a direct
  result of the criminal act, but through the
  response of institutions and individuals to the
  victim.
• Social injury
• caused by society in the aftermath of the crime.
• treated insensitively or not receiving the
  services and/or information that a victim
  requires.

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What constitutes S.V

• refusal to recognize the victims experience as
  criminal victimization
• intrusive or inappropriate conduct, abuse in
  institutions
• Whole process of criminal investigation and trial
  - victim perceives difficulties in balancing
  their rights with those of accused or offender
• criminal justice procedures that do not take the
  perspective of victim into account
• hurried schedules, cumbersome procedures that may
  affect a victims sense of dignity and control
• Delayed process, repeat recounting of crime

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In the Institutions..

• Language barrier
• Disability, ADHD, Learning difficulties
• Extreme poverty and abuse insecurity
• leading to hoarding or stealing in the dorm
• Lesbianism
• Bouncing back and forth into the system
• Abuse in the dorm by older / powerful peers
• Blaming the child victim

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In the context of Children in need of care and
protection

• Runaway, missing, abandoned, abducted,
• sick, abused and exploited children
• How to prevent secondary victimisation
• Immediate needs of the child
• Questioning the child appropriately
• Positive interactions building trust
• Keeping promises and aftermath
• Follow up till speedy justice and rehabilitation