Ghana, as a member of the United Nations, is a signatory to its human rights standards. However, socio-cultural belief systems in Ghana, such as witchcraft accusations, show some divergence between socio-cultural belief systems and the modern concept of human rights. This study sought to critically analyse how socio-cultural belief systems relate, contradict and trample on the fundamental human rights of persons accused of witchcraft practices. The study employed a qualitative method where interviews were conducted with 37 participants. The participants were mainly persons accused of witchcraft practices living in the Gambaga Camp. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews through personal face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. A thematic approach was used in the data analysis. The study found that the victims of witchcraft accusations have a distinctive conceptualization of human rights. The respondents classified human rights to include social and cultural rights, economic rights, civil and political rights and legal rights. The study further found that some of the participants were aware of some rights standards as provided by the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, which relates to the current conditions of persons accused of witchcraft practices. It was recommended that governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, traditional leaders and community members help in promoting human rights awareness by emphasizing the importance of equality, dignity and respect for individuals accused of witchcraft practices.
Victim compensation contributes significantly to furnishing financial restitution and rehabilitation to individuals adversely affected by criminal acts. In the context of India, this principle has undergone significant development through legislative measures, notably Sections 395 and 396(1) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which were previously identified as Sections 357 and 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), in conjunction with progressive judicial interpretations. This discussion examines the legal framework governing victim compensation, tracing its evolution from optional choices to firm state policies. It scrutinizes pivotal judicial trajectories through seminal rulings such as Ankush Shivaji Gaikwad v. State of Maharashtra, Karan v. State NCT of Delhi and Saif Ali @ Sohan v. State of NCT of Delhi , emphasizing the transition towards obligatory compensation and the ensuing procedural complexities. The investigation questions whether stipulations such as mandatory financial disclosures by convicts and postponed sentencing, as per the Karan framework, represent judicial overreach and thereby contravene constitutional protections enshrined in Articles 20(3) and 21. Furthermore, this analysis provides a detailed narrative of compensation distribution across Indian states between 2014 and 2024, uncovering persistent inequalities and challenges. The article proposes a strategy that aligns victim-centred changes with equitable justice processes for the accused, putting forth policy suggestions aimed at creating uniform compensation guidelines, cutting down on delays and ensuring constitutional protections.
Victims of cyberstalking and online harassment experience barriers when engaging with the police, yet little is known about the psychological and social processes involved in these interactions. This study explored how victims of cyberstalking reported to police, and what factors influenced their decision to continue with their investigations. Fifty-three adults (44 women and 9 men), whose police investigations were closed and had not been identified as vulnerable by the police, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were thematically analysed within a critical realist approach. Three themes were identified: (a) victims delayed reporting due to stigma, self-blame and not being taken seriously; (b) police responses that dismissed or undermined their complaints, reinforced these fears, while empathetic and validating police responses alleviated distress and encouraged participation; and (c) victims actively contributed to evidence gathering, but often felt unsupported, particularly when police neglected to investigate or follow up on information provided. Findings highlight the central role of initial police contact in shaping victims’ trust and engagement. Trauma-informed, victim-centred and digitally literate police practices, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration with specialist community advocates, are discussed to improve outcomes and support victims in cyberstalking cases.
Purpose: Crime reporting is shifting towards technological platforms, such as email and online forms. While this transition promises efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the literature suggests this transition also leads to adverse effects, such as reduced victim satisfaction. Given that reporting a crime is often a victim’s primary contact with the police, Procedural Justice (PJ), the quality of this interaction strongly shapes satisfaction and trust. To address this concern, some police departments have initiated communication strategies. Methods: Contemporary review to examine how police communication strategies can improve satisfaction among victims who report crimes online and later learn their cases were discontinued. A systematic search (2014–2024) identified four trials that met the inclusion criteria: interventions involving communication strategies for discontinued cases, evaluated using rigorous experimental designs. These studies tested follow-up phone calls (‘reassurance callbacks’), personalized letters and specialized victim support programmes. Findings: Proactive communication, particularly follow-up calls, significantly enhances victim satisfaction and perceptions of procedural justice, even when no further action is taken. Victims who received personal contact felt more supported than those who received impersonal or no communication at all. However, adding a second follow-up call did not increase benefits, and short-term trust in the police remained essentially unchanged. Conclusions: Overall, communication interventions appear to be effective in improving victims’ experiences. Simple, low-cost practices such as timely calls can convey care, offer explanations and enhance perceptions of fairness. The police should integrate such strategies into standard procedures for discontinued cases; however, more rigorous research is called for.
Sexual assault is a prevalent and deeply troubling issue in Utah—one that affects communities and individuals throughout the state. In response, several programmes have been developed and implemented in both community and institutional settings, aiming to provide evidence-based education to prevent sexual assault. This study examined the knowing–doing gap among sexual assault prevention facilitators to understand whether practitioners understand what should be taught (knowing) and what barriers or limitations hinder their ability to effectively implement that knowledge (doing). A survey was completed by 62 individuals who work in various agencies across the state that implement education opportunities, trainings or other initiatives to prevent sexual assault. Results from the quantitative analyses, complemented by qualitative themes, indicated that while more than half of facilitators are implementing best practices, many programmes remain underdeveloped in areas concerning conceptual approaches and diverse, comprehensive frameworks. Additionally, evidence suggested that practitioners face significant barriers related to their ability to deliver the material as intended, indicating a gap between knowing and doing. This knowing–doing gap is prevalent in the facilitation of sexual assault prevention programmes due to barriers that will be discussed. Limitations and implications for practice are discussed.
Rapid urbanization and economic growth have transformed metropolitan cities of India into major centres of development, modernization and social mobility. However, the extent to which such development has ensured safety and protection for women as victims of crime remains a matter of serious concern. The present study examines the spatial pattern and magnitude of women’s victimization in the metropolitan cities of India and explores the contradiction between urban development and women’s security. The study is based on secondary data obtained from the National Crime Records Bureau, Crime in India report (2022). Nineteen metropolitan cities, each having a population of more than two million, have been selected for analysis. Six major categories of crimes in which women emerge as victims—rape, dowry deaths, assault on women with intent to outrage modesty, insult to the modesty of women, cruelty by husband or relatives and kidnapping or abduction to compel marriage—have been examined. A composite index of criminality has been computed to measure the degree of women’s victimization and inter-city variations. The findings reveal significant regional disparities in the victimization of women across metropolitan India. Jaipur emerged as the most hostile metropolitan city for women victims, whereas Coimbatore recorded the lowest criminality index, indicating the safest urban environment. The study further reveals that metropolitan cities, despite accounting for less than one-tenth of the national population, contribute disproportionately to several crimes against women. The study concludes that economic development and urban expansion alone do not protect women from victimization, highlighting the need for victim-centred urban governance, gender-sensitive institutions and socially inclusive development for ensuring women’s safety and dignity.
Experiences of extreme confinement, identity loss and fear characterize the lived realities of many Beninese women migrant domestic workers in Osogbo, Nigeria. This study employs a descriptive qualitative design to explore persistent violations of their fundamental rights and the broader structural conditions that sustain these abuses. Data were drawn from 32 interviews with migrant workers, police officers and a human rights advocate, providing both victim and institutional perspectives. Findings reveal multiple, overlapping forms of victimization, including physical abuse, unpaid labour, food deprivation, medical neglect and forced renaming that erases cultural identity and personal autonomy. Employers exploit the women’s undocumented status to enforce excessive workloads, surveillance and isolation, while sexual harassment and threats of deportation sustain a climate of silence and dependency. Most participants were unaware of their rights, which deepens their vulnerability and discourages reporting. Despite Nigeria’s Labour Migration Policy and its commitment to international conventions, weak enforcement and public indifference perpetuate systemic neglect. The study demonstrates how economic desperation, gendered subordination and institutional failure intersect to normalize exploitation within private households. It concludes by advocating for stronger monitoring mechanisms, gender-sensitive human-rights-based migration governance and community sensitization programmes to ensure dignity, protection and lasting justice for women migrant domestic workers in Nigeria.
Systemic injustices and discriminatory social norms are the root causes of violence against women, which continues to be a major human rights violation on a global scale. The World Health Organization estimates that one in three women worldwide may experience physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. The international legal community has passed numerous significant treaties throughout the years, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Platform for Action. These frameworks jointly mandate member states to avert, penalize and rectify gender-based violence via legal, legislative and social reform. Despite these worldwide initiatives, implementation on the ground is inconsistent and often inadequate. Violence significantly impacts women’s physical and emotional health, restricts their autonomy and impedes their full participation in society. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed substantial shortcomings in protective measures and escalated instances of gender-based violence, especially in home settings. This article acknowledges the pandemic’s impact while emphasizing the enduring importance and limitations of international law in addressing violence against women. The research underscores that global legal progress must yield tangible safety and equality for women, as demonstrated by an examination of legislative frameworks, international resolutions and prevalence statistics. It also promotes governmental, legal and social strategies to improve execution and ensure that global commitments produce substantial change.
The results of victimization self-report studies impact theory and justice system practice; therefore, accurate reporting is key. However, due to the sensitive nature of victimization, there are concerns about the accuracy of reports, and research generally assumes that increased reporting is more accurate. Additionally, few studies have examined face-to-face and self-report modes using the ISRD. Further examining the ISRD is important because of its widespread international use. To contribute to this research area, we experimentally examined mode effects on victimization reports using the ISRD3 victimization scale in a sample of college students. We found evidence that respondents in the interviewer-administered condition were more likely to report lifetime victimization experiences, compared to the self-administered condition, but not victimization in the prior year. The present findings are in apparent contradiction to the vast literature on sensitive questions, where the evidence favours self-administered conditions as being more accurate. Our results could be due to the young sample and/or low frequencies of past-year victimization reports. However, results may indicate that mode effects may operate differently for low-sensitivity ISRD items and high-sensitivity (i.e., sexual assault) items, where it is more likely a victim could be blamed.
The 2021 census for the Cayman Islands asked two new questions that did not feature in any previous census. Section 11 of the questionnaire asked whether any respondent had been a victim of crime (excluding traffic) during the past 12 months and, if so, whether they had reported it. Because there is no crime survey undertaken in the Islands, this is a valuable addition to the census, and the results can be viewed in a number of ways in combination with the remainder of the demographic data from the questionnaire. Furthermore, the experience of crime and the claimed levels of reporting of crime can be compared to the police statistics for actual recorded crime to provide a clearer picture of crime reporting. While these new census questions provide valuable insights, the study also highlights limitations in the current approach, including the lack of data on crime types, frequency and impact. We recommend implementing a more comprehensive annual crime survey to address these gaps and enhance understanding of crime patterns. This research contributes to the broader discussion on crime data collection methodologies in small island nations and their implications for policy development and resource allocation in law enforcement.
Victim engagement is central to domestic abuse investigations, yet attrition is often shaped by victims’ experiences of first response policing. This article examines how response officer conduct influences victim satisfaction and willingness to support police action in domestic abuse cases in Mid and South Wales. Drawing on survivor accounts of police contact, the analysis shows that satisfaction is driven less by formal procedural steps and more by interpersonal practice, particularly listening, empathy and respectful communication, alongside the avoidance of dismissive or judgemental interactions. Where victims experienced validation and practical support, they reported greater willingness to cooperate with investigative and safeguarding action. The findings extend procedural justice and trauma-informed policing debates by evidencing a relational mechanism linking frontline response to victim cooperation in domestic abuse contexts.
Spousal violence is one of the most pervasive forms of interpersonal violence all over the world. Although violence against women within the household has been a subject of enquiry in Nigeria, there is a paucity of research on husband abuse. Drawing from the chivalry hypothesis, therefore, this article investigated the victimization experiences of male spouses in Lagos State, Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative methods involving the use of questionnaires, in-depth interview and focus group discussions were employed as data collection methods. One thousand married men were selected through the multistage sampling method from five purposively selected Local Government Areas in Lagos State. In-depth interviews were held with 12 male victims, while four focus group discussions were also held with married men and women. Results showed that respondents experienced emotional abuse the most, although other forms of spousal abuse were also reported. Most of the respondents identified jealousy as the major trigger of spousal abuse perpetrated against them. Men experiencing spousal abuse are urged to seek professional intervention early to ensure their social and emotional well-being.
This article explores hate crime targeting three specific religious groups in the United Kingdom: Muslims, Jews and Hindus. Drawing on qualitative interviews with victims, the research considers both hate crimes and noncriminal incidents such as bias and discrimination. The central aim is to examine how individuals from these groups perceive and respond to their experiences of victimization. The article presents data from interviews with 30 participants and three focus groups, focusing particularly on the participants’ immediate reactions to incidents of hate crime. The research identifies both similarities and differences in how each group responded at the time of the incident. Participants described their immediate reactions in one of four ways: inaction (outwardly not reacting), seeking some form of recourse, verbally confronting the perpetrator or retaliating with violence. Notably, none of the Jewish or Hindu participants reported responding with verbal confrontation, retaliation or physical aggression; their typical response was inaction. In contrast, Muslim participants exhibited a broader range of immediate responses, including verbal confrontation, physical retaliation and seeking recourse. This article is the first to offer insight into the varied immediate responses to hate crime among these religious communities in the United Kingdom.
Locus of control is an important psychological construct that relates to the likelihood of social success and even resilience to difficult stressors. Although framed as internal or external, empirical research has shown that beliefs in the ability to control one’s life and circumstances may be more of a spectrum. Research has shown that external events, often framed in childhood, shape whether one holds an internal or external locus of control, but violent crime victimization remains underexplored in this context. The current study expands on this point by utilizing the first two waves of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health to emphasize the critical developmental period of adolescence, both psychologically and in terms of risk of victimization. The mean ages are 15.63 and 16.02 in this context. The Add Health study examines a nationally representative sample of youth tracked into adulthood, with the primary focus of the current study examining changes in early and middle adolescence. Locus of control is assessed via latent factor analysis of attitudinal measures, and regressed upon violent victimization, temporally addressed, social supports and risks and prior attitudes tapping prior assessment of locus. Results illustrate that victimization impacts locus of control, but that this relationship may be temporally defined. Path analyses reveal indirect connections between victimization and altered social relationships, including peer socialization patterns, which subsequently impact locus perception. The study contributes to psychological, sociological and criminological insights into evolving resiliency, self-comprehension and increased risk of delinquency involvement. Findings open inquiry into theoretical integration, opportunities to revisit victim–offender overlap research and considerations for therapeutic interventions.
This article critically examines the comparative implementation of crime victims’ rights in India, Australia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan and South Korea, with particular attention to procedural justice, institutional accountability and victim agency. Drawing on statutory frameworks and research, it examines whether recognition of victims’ rights leads to participation and protection. Despite legislative reforms, disparities persist in enforcement, access and cultural responsiveness. Using victimological concepts such as the ideal victim, institutional betrayal and trauma-informed practice, the analysis identifies recurring patterns of symbolic compliance, gaps in service delivery and tensions between legal ideals and lived realities. By synthesizing cross-national data and historical trajectories, the article proposes a framework for evaluating institutional performance and highlights the need for culturally attuned, trauma-informed reforms to ensure that victims’ rights are not merely aspirational but actionable.
This article aims to establish a comprehensive conceptual framework for addressing the scope and characteristics of drug-facilitated crime victimization. The significance of drugs and intoxication in perpetuating such victimization is paramount. Individuals who find themselves under the influence of alcohol or other substances become more susceptible to becoming victims of crime. The theory defines drug-facilitated crime as a criminal act perpetrated against a person who is incapacitated or unconscious due to the voluntary, forceful or clandestine administration of drugs. The ultimate objective of this theory is to discern the subtle intricacies of drug-facilitated crimes. To achieve this, an exhaustive literature survey method was employed, complemented by a meticulous analysis of 110 cases of drug-facilitated crime sourced from investigative journalism. The conceptualization hinges on two essential parameters: the role of the offender in the victim’s intoxication and the victim’s awareness of the drugs administered. Accordingly, the theory introduces four distinct concepts of drug-facilitated crime, namely opportunism, deliberation, coercion and covert. This framework seeks to shed light on the multifaceted nature of drug-related crimes, providing valuable insights for research and prevention efforts.
The Indian judicial system, for a very long time, has been suffering from the taboo of low disposal rates and pendency of cases, along with the inefficient, costly, obscure and lethargic mode of dealing with the cases. The judiciary is facing a very difficult situation with humongous cases pending in courts. Even today, most of the work is done manually in various parts of the country, which adds to the delay in dispensing justice. With the advent of technology and living in the era of technology, almost every aspect of our lives, from personal to professional, has been affected by it. The administration and management of the regular work in courts have become easier and can solve the delay crisis to a certain extent. The Supreme Court had already proposed a road map and came out with other tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI), e-court filing, which can pave the way for the judiciary to deliver justice quickly with increased transparency, especially in criminal matters. These steps have been taken to utilize the power of technology to ease the life of courts, litigants and other stakeholders in the process. The advocates, judges, law students and others have slowly started adopting and comprehending the use of technology in the effective administration of justice as all have realized the importance of technology in the judicial system of the nation. The introduction of technology in the Indian judicial system with the E-courts Project (2005) opened an avenue for ICT in the Indian judicial system. The technology has been helping in removing the flaws existing in the Indian criminal justice system. Technology is slowly becoming a vehicle for winning people’s faith in the Indian judiciary. The researchers, through this article, would try to analyse the usefulness of ICT in the existing Indian judicial system by conducting a survey through a questionnaire amongst the members of the legal fraternity and other stakeholders. The survey would be conducted with the aim of assessing the perspective of how the stakeholders, particularly the law students, view the contemporary use of ICT in the Indian criminal justice system. Through the survey, the researchers would also try to find out what challenges the members of the legal fraternity feel exist in the present status of ICT in the Indian judiciary and the possible remedies or solutions to deal with such challenges.
Victimization among the college population has been linked to a range of consequences, including mental health disorders, eating disorders and sleep disorders. However, the extent to which these disorders are addressed on college and university campuses is less explored, especially among students who identify as sexual and gender minorities. The current study uses data from The National College Health Assessment by The American College Health Association (ACHA-NCHA IIIb) to examine the extent of victimization and the use mental health services on college and university campuses in the United States. Findings from this study suggest victims, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+, experience higher odds of mental health, eating and sleep disorders in comparison to their peers and are statistically more likely to use mental health services. Policy implications are discussed.
In recent times, researchers focusing on wrongful convictions have drawn attention to the key factors contributing to such miscarriages of justice within the Indian context. However, the academic literature focusing on the victimization experienced by wrongfully convicted individuals during their incarceration is noticeably limited. Innocents who were wrongfully arrested, prosecuted and convicted experience a profound sense of invisibility and injustice, first, through their wrongful conviction and unjust sentencing and, subsequently, upon re-entering society following a prolonged incarceration period without state assistance or restitution. The lack of empirical evidence on their lived experiences hinders the researcher and policymakers from effectively addressing their needs and required support. In this context, this article delineates the lived experiences of five wrongfully convicted individuals who endured prolonged periods of incarceration across three states: Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This article addresses two pivotal questions: first, how individuals who maintained their innocence experienced wrongful incarceration in prison, and second, the strategies employed by the wrongfully convicted to navigate the social dynamics within the confines of the prison. To gain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences, a qualitative methodology was employed to discern their perspectives. In-depth semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted with participants who have been acquitted by the higher courts exercising appellate jurisdiction. The objective of these in-depth interviews was not limited to eliciting the facts surrounding their wrongful convictions but also to construct knowledge about their adaptation to prison life, which deprived them of their liberty and autonomy.
Sexual assault is a highly prevalent issue, with some individuals being more vulnerable to being sexually assaulted. Namely, women are at a higher risk than men, and within women, ethnic minorities are at a particularly high risk. Both victim and perpetrator race were previously found to impact not only the victims’ reporting behaviour but also case proceedings and bystanders’ reactions, with inter-racial sexual assault being perceived as more severe. The current study assessed whether manipulating both victim and perpetrator race (being White, Arab or Black) would affect bystanders’ advice to a hypothetical victim about post-sexual assault reactions. We included 255 participants with no history of sexual assault and presented them with one out of nine vignettes. The vignettes included either a White, Black or Arab perpetrator and a White, Black or Arab victim (9 conditions, 26 < ns > 31), and were administered in a randomized order. Participants were asked to imagine witnessing the described situation and to rate the likelihood of recommending eight different post-sexual assault reactions (tell friends, tell family, confront the person, report, police report, do nothing, try to forget and deny) to a victim. Overall, reporting the incident and confronting the perpetrator were the most likely advice bystanders would provide to the victim, with no significant differences between race conditions. These results indicate that bystanders would suggest an active approach against victimization regardless of the race of the involved parties. However, it is important to consider that race-related research evokes socially desirable responding, which could have impacted our findings.
