Impact of Crime on Individuals and Society Cost of crime The impact of crime spreads beyond the obvious victims and their families. Witnesses to crime can also be traumatised and communities can live in fear as a result of offences such as rape and burglary that are committed in their midst. For some people, criminal activities can lead to a lifetime of suffering, requiring professional counseling and support. Crime also costs society a great deal in financial resources the cost of running our criminal justice system the police force, court system and prison system is significant. Physical and psychological impacts:
While some victims of crime recover quickly, others remain burdened by their experiences for many years, even a lifetime. The following factors affect many victims of crime. Physical and psychological impacts: anxiety, including stress-related disorders such as irrational fears and panic attacks physical injuries such as wounds, lacerations, broken bones, sprains, burns other health conditions, such as heart attack, stroke and fractures from falling caused by physical attack permanent disability and disfigurement substantial lifestyle changes, including restriction of activities once enjoyed sleeplessness and eating disorders exposure to sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy for sexual assault victims guilt and self-blame. Lifestyle issues: concerns about personal safety
problems with important relationships social withdrawal concerns about being trusted, especially if the victim experienced intense questioning from lawyers when on the witness stand, which made the person feel as if they appeared unreliable increased feelings of vulnerability persistent avoidance of things associated with the traumatic event. Financial impacts: medical bills (emergency transportation, physiotherapy, medical supplies) rental costs for wheelchairs, ramps and crutches occupational therapy job retraining mental health counseling and therapy lost wages due to incapacitation, rehabilitation, or taking time off work to repair damages from property crime, participate in criminal proceedings as a witness, or seek medical or mental health treatment costs of replacing locks and changing security devices fees incurred in changing bank or credit card accounts higher insurance premiums relocation expenses. After the physical scars of crime fade, some victims are still left with the emotional and financial costs of crime DEATH AND PAYBACK Brenton Chaplin was the driver of the car in which a passenger, Leigh Charter, 20 years, was killed in a collision with a pole at Seaspray in Gippsland in January Chaplin was travelling at 126 kilometers per hour in an 80 kilometers per hour zone and had a blood-alcohol concentration of when he lost control of his vehicle. As tragic as this was, more tragedy was to strike the town of Harcourt where the men had lived. Thirteen months after the death of his best friend in the crash, Chaplin was again in mourning when his mother was murdered in a revenge attack by Leigh Charter's father. Mr Charter then took his own life after also injuring Chaplin's father, brother and cousin. Judge Howie described it as a shocking and terrible act of vengeance. In February 2010, in the County Court, Chaplin was jailed for four years with a minimum of 18 months for a range of offences including culpable driving. Chaplin had pleaded guilty. Judge Ross Howie urged the Chaplin and Charter families and their supporters to heal their differences, so that the town could move forward from the three tragic deaths. There were over 120 people in attendance to hear the sentencing. Evidence was given at the trial that Leigh Charter was like a brother to Chaplin, who witnesses said bawled his eyes out after the crash. Chaplin had spoken to police of killing himself and said he had done the worst thing in my life. Let there be no doubt, you are in no way to blame for the death of your mother or for Mr Charter's other actions, the judge said at the sentencing hearing. Although Judge Howie felt that Chaplin had suffered enough for the death of Charter, he explained carefully to the packed gallery that deterrence was the main factor in sentencing the defendant to a term of imprisonment. The Ripple Effect Many experts speak of crime having a ripple effect, from those who are directly involved as victims, spreading out to elderly people who live in communities where crime has occurred who are afraid to go out at night. TEST your understanding
1. Outline three impacts of crime on an individual. 2. Explain two ways in which crime can affect a community. APPLY your understanding
5. Read the fictional scenario below and answer the questions that follow. Jane is a 55-year-old widow who lives with her elderly mother in the family home. In June 2010, Jane was assisting her mother in a supermarket when her handbag was stolen from the shopping trolley. Jane lost her wallet, her keys, her mobile phone and her personal diary. Police did not recover the handbag. Jane suffered stress and anxiety after the attack and she moved with her mother into a local motel while her house and car were re-keyed. a. Explain the impact of this crime in terms of Jane's physical wellbeing. b. What financial losses would Jane have incurred as a result of this offence? c. What would have been the emotional and lifestyle impact on Jane? 6. Refer to the case study Death and payback. a. What effect did these deaths have on the community of Harcourt? Explain the ways in which this case highlights the dangers of taking the law into your own hands. b. Do you believe that Judge Howie should have taken the death of Brentonx Chaplin's mother into consideration when sentencing her son in this case? Explain your answer in a 300-word response