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Behavioral Sciences
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Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime
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Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 15013

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dara Mojtahedi

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Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, School of Education and Psychology, University of Bolton, Bolton BL3 5AB, UK
Interests: victim and witness interviews; sexual violence; victim blaming; jury decision making
Dr. Dominic Willmott

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Social Science and Humanities, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK
Interests: courtroom behavior and legal decision making; sexual violence and jury decision making

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Victims of crime are subjected to traumatic ordeals that can have long-lasting impacts on their health and wellbeing. These experiences will also create further difficulties for victims to give evidence and seek appropriate help. It is therefore imperative for professionals interacting with victims (e.g., police, healthcare professionals, support workers, jurors) to approach these interactions professionally and ethically. However, research continues to demonstrate that many professionals, as well as society in general, will approach cases unempathetically and problematically, drawing on cognitive biases or inaccurate pre-conceived beliefs. The impact of negative victim attitudes (e.g., victim blaming) are extremely problematic, they can cause re-traumatisation to victims, incite self-blame, and push many individuals away from wanting to report crimes or seek out support.

Research has come a long way in helping to identify and dispel problematic victim attitudes, as well as informing best practise for those working with crime victims (e.g., trauma-informed support). Despite this surge in empirical enquiry, the problem with negative victim attitudes persists. The following Special Issue calls for contemporary explorations into the treatment and perception of crime victims.

Dr. Dara Mojtahedi
Dr. Dominic Willmott
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • victim
  • survivors
  • support
  • crime
  • trauma
  • victim attitudes

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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20 pages, 3237 KiB  
Article
To Intervene or Not to Intervene: An Experimental Methodology Measuring Actual Bystander Behaviour
by Danielle Labhardt, Nadine McKillop, Emma Holdsworth, Sarah Brown, Douglas Howat and Christian Jones
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040550 - 18 Apr 2025
Viewed by 172
Abstract
Bystander intervention and sexual assault research typically rely on self-reported intent to intervene. However, predicted behaviour can be considerably different from actual behaviour. Hypothetical scenarios are often utilised to remove extenuating circumstances, limiting insight into actual behaviour where those circumstances impact intervention. This [...] Read more.
Bystander intervention and sexual assault research typically rely on self-reported intent to intervene. However, predicted behaviour can be considerably different from actual behaviour. Hypothetical scenarios are often utilised to remove extenuating circumstances, limiting insight into actual behaviour where those circumstances impact intervention. This paper discusses the development and evaluation of an innovative methodology to measure actual bystander behaviour when witnessing signs of an impending sexual assault. With careful attention paid to ethical considerations and participant safety, 13 participants were directly deceived about the true aim of the research. Utilising observational data and a funnelling debrief, the findings demonstrated varied reactions to sexual assault cues, from not noticing and therefore not intervening, to noticing and (in)directly intervening. Participants’ responses indicated they remained unaware of the deception until it was formally revealed, suggesting the methodology effectively realised the study’s aims. The funnelling debrief mitigated the adverse effects of the deception, with some participants reporting more confidence and motivation to intervene in the future. Further development of this methodology could create more interactive bystander intervention programmes that teach people to identify signs of a sexual assault, develop skills to safely intervene, and raise awareness about sexual violence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
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14 pages, 590 KiB  
Article
German Version of the Child Sexual Abuse Myth Scale (CSAMS-G): Translation, Expansion, and Construct Validation
by Lennart Bayer, Maike Cigelski, Justine Eilfgang, Elisabeth Barbara Kraus, Frieda Mensing and Simone Pülschen
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020143 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 810
Abstract
Research is needed on the myths regarding child sexual abuse in order to address commonly held misconceptions in persons training for professional careers in relevant fields for child protection. We present our translated, validated, and expanded Child Sexual Abuse Myth Scale (CSAMS-G). It [...] Read more.
Research is needed on the myths regarding child sexual abuse in order to address commonly held misconceptions in persons training for professional careers in relevant fields for child protection. We present our translated, validated, and expanded Child Sexual Abuse Myth Scale (CSAMS-G). It was tested on a sample of 569 students studying either education, social work, law, or policing. Results of confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good model fit for our assumed factorial structure. Acceptable results on internal consistency were confirmed with McDonald’s ω. We also present the first results on the acceptance of child sexual abuse myths in our sample. Overall, myth acceptance was low, but a few exceptions were found, especially for the newly added items. We found group differences in factor scores for gender as well as between survivors and non-survivors of child sexual abuse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
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15 pages, 275 KiB  
Article
Impact of Perpetrator and Victim Gender on Perceptions of Stalking Severity
by Megan Brenik, Ana-Cristina Tuluceanu, Emma Smillie, Luan Carpes Barros Cassal, Caroline Mead and Dara Mojtahedi
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020120 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1136
Abstract
Many individuals will dismiss the seriousness of ex-partner stalking offences, often as a result of inaccurate and problematic beliefs about the offence (stalking myths). However, to date, stalking myth acceptance measurements have only considered attitudes about stereotypical stalking (male stalking a female). The [...] Read more.
Many individuals will dismiss the seriousness of ex-partner stalking offences, often as a result of inaccurate and problematic beliefs about the offence (stalking myths). However, to date, stalking myth acceptance measurements have only considered attitudes about stereotypical stalking (male stalking a female). The current research considered whether inaccurate and problematic perceptions of stalking were dependent on the gender and sexuality of the perpetrator, victim, and participant. Additionally, it examined whether existing stalking myth acceptance scales measuring stereotypical stalking attitudes would predict perceptions of stalking incidents that involved female stalkers and/or male victims. Participants (N = 336) completed the stalking myth acceptance scale and then responded to a series of questions measuring their perceptions towards a stalking vignette. An independent groups design was used to manipulate the gender of the stalker and victim. The need for police intervention was greatest for incidents involving a male stalker and a female victim. Female victims of male stalking were predicted as being the most fearful, whilst male victims of female stalking were rated as least likely to be fearful. Heterosexual males and participants with minority sexual orientations were also more likely to identify the perpetrator’s actions as stalking. Finally, the SMA scales predicted participants’ attitudes for stereotypical stalking cases but not for the other scenarios. The findings demonstrate that gender plays a significant role in stalking perceptions and highlights the need for more inclusive SMA measurements to consider problematic attitudes towards non-stereotypical stalking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
18 pages, 402 KiB  
Article
Contemporary Treatment of Crime Victims/Survivors: Barriers Faced by Minority Groups in Accessing and Utilizing Domestic Abuse Services
by Terri Cole, Orlanda Harvey, Jane C. Healy and Chloe Smith
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020103 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1165
Abstract
This research explored the experiences of LGBTQIA+, black and ethnic minority (BME), and disabled victims of domestic abuse due to the frequency of abuse in these populations and bespoke needs they may have. Data were collected via an online survey (n = 317), [...] Read more.
This research explored the experiences of LGBTQIA+, black and ethnic minority (BME), and disabled victims of domestic abuse due to the frequency of abuse in these populations and bespoke needs they may have. Data were collected via an online survey (n = 317), a focus group with professionals (n = 2), and interviews with victims/survivors of domestic abuse (n = 2). Many victims/survivors articulated difficulties in accessing support for many reasons, including individual and structural barriers such as embarrassment, stigma, shame, fear and not being aware of what support is available. Whilst good practice was reported, examples of secondary victimization towards victims/survivors by individuals, professionals and organizations were recounted. Many barriers were identified; for example, there was inappropriate provision in refuges or shelters for LGBTQIA+ groups or disabled people. Disabled victims experienced additional barriers if their abuser was also their carer. BME groups may have additional language difficulties as well as cultural stigma and pressure to stay with their abuser. Recommendations for practice include the need for enhanced multi-agency training and recognition of abuse; crime against victims/survivors being supported by someone with the same cultural background; easier access to interpreters; and more appropriate refuge or alternative housing options. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
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15 pages, 271 KiB  
Article
Online and Offline Disclosures of Unwanted Sexual Experiences: A Comparison of Reactions and Affect
by Melissa S. de Roos, Giorgia Caon and Elza Veldhuizen Ochodničanová
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020102 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 969
Abstract
People are increasingly turning to online settings to disclose very personal experiences, such as unwanted sexual encounters. Whilst the barriers to disclosure of such experiences and the positive effects of disclosure are well documented, little is known about the online disclosure experiences of [...] Read more.
People are increasingly turning to online settings to disclose very personal experiences, such as unwanted sexual encounters. Whilst the barriers to disclosure of such experiences and the positive effects of disclosure are well documented, little is known about the online disclosure experiences of survivors and victims of sexual violence, and no research has assessed differences between online and offline disclosures. This study assessed experiences of online and offline disclosures (N = 369; 86.4% female), focusing on people’s reasons for (non-)disclosure, the severity of people’s unwanted sexual experiences, the reactions they received to their disclosures, and how they felt about the disclosure. The results indicated differences between online and offline disclosures, with offline disclosures more strongly associated with negative responses than online disclosures. Moreover, people felt more positively about an online disclosure than they did about an offline disclosure. The interplay between these various factors and how people felt about their disclosure showed a different pattern across online and offline contexts. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
17 pages, 336 KiB  
Article
Judgement Differences of Types of Image-Based Sexual Harassment and Abuse Conducted by Celebrity Perpetrators and Victims
by Dean Fido, Alex Rushton, Ellie Allen and Jackie Williams
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111021 - 1 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1499
Abstract
An emerging corpus exists pertaining to societal judgements of image-based sexual harassment and abuse (IBSHA). This type of research centres on the non-consensual sharing of intimate images (NCSII; sometimes called ‘revenge pornography’), but recent legislative developments seeking to convict those who engage in [...] Read more.
An emerging corpus exists pertaining to societal judgements of image-based sexual harassment and abuse (IBSHA). This type of research centres on the non-consensual sharing of intimate images (NCSII; sometimes called ‘revenge pornography’), but recent legislative developments seeking to convict those who engage in the unsolicited sending of intimate images (USII; sometimes called ‘dick pics’) evoke a need to broaden this literature. Moreover, in the context of recent and highly publicised accounts featuring both celebrity perpetrators and victims of IBSHA, it is important to understand whether celebrity status impacts said judgements. We present three studies outlining judgement differences between vignettes featuring NCSII and USII as a function of perpetrator/victim celebrity status and as predicted by previously implicated personality traits and beliefs. In Studies 1 (N = 261) and 2 (N = 237), though vignettes involving NCSII were perceived more criminal in nature and anticipated to evoke more harm than USII, said victims also received more blame. Contrary to our hypotheses, there was no further impact of celebrity status on either the perpetrator (Study 2) or victim (Study 3; N = 207). Finally, although dark personality traits (associated with callousness and low empathy) predicted variation in judgements of IBSHA across all studies, in Study 2, psychopathic personality traits specifically predicted proclivity to engage in NCSII but not USII. The results are discussed in reference to the importance of IBSHA-related education on an international level and the pursuit of further legislation in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
19 pages, 331 KiB  
Article
GHB, Chemsex and Chemical Submission: Investigating the Role of Sexuality on Victim Empathy and Blame Attribution in Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault against Men
by Harrison Lee, Danielle Labhardt and Dominic Willmott
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100913 - 8 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2431
Abstract
Literature is sparse regarding men’s attitudes towards male sexual assault and the role that the sexuality of those involved may have. Despite the high prevalence of chemsex and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) participation among men who have sex with men, no study has yet investigated [...] Read more.
Literature is sparse regarding men’s attitudes towards male sexual assault and the role that the sexuality of those involved may have. Despite the high prevalence of chemsex and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) participation among men who have sex with men, no study has yet investigated attitudes towards such. Utilising a community sample of 141 UK men, participants were randomly assigned into one of six conditions based on victim sexuality (heterosexual or homosexual) and the drug used present during the sexual assault (chemsex, chemical submission, or no drugs). All participants completed the Male Rape Victim and Perpetrator Blaming Scale and Victim-Blaming Empathy Scale to measure victim-blame and empathy attributions. Results of a two-way MANOVA revealed a significant difference between participant gender and empathic ratings, with heterosexual participants significantly less likely to empathise than their homosexual counterparts. A non-significant difference was observed between the conditions alongside a non-significant interaction. Nevertheless, results indicate that victims in the chemsex condition, along with heterosexual victims, encountered the greatest victim-blaming attributions and the lowest rates of participant empathy overall. Findings overall appear to indicate a general decline in victim-blame attitudes towards men who have sex with men, though a level of uncertainty was apparent among the sample. Implications and limitations of the work are discussed alongside the importance of future research and psychoeducation interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
23 pages, 370 KiB  
Article
‘Are We Sure That He Knew That You Don’t Want to Have Sex?’: Discursive Constructions of the Suspect in Police Interviews with Rape Complainants
by Megan Hermolle, Alexandra Kent, Abigail J. Locke and Samantha J. Andrews
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 837; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090837 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1361
Abstract
Recent statistics reveal alarming flaws in the Criminal Justice System’s (CJS) handling of rape cases, undermining the pursuit of justice for complainants seeking legal redress. This paper takes a novel approach to explore police rape stereotype use in interviews with rape complainants, utilising [...] Read more.
Recent statistics reveal alarming flaws in the Criminal Justice System’s (CJS) handling of rape cases, undermining the pursuit of justice for complainants seeking legal redress. This paper takes a novel approach to explore police rape stereotype use in interviews with rape complainants, utilising critical discourse analysis and conversation analysis and discursive psychology to understand and critique the balance of power within an interview and how this might impact attrition and prosecution decisions. Ten police interviews with rape complainants were analysed with several suspect discursive constructions present throughout, including the interviewer constructing the suspect as misunderstanding, the complainant as miscommunicating non-consent, or agentless and passive talk. A significant and original finding was the way constructions interacted with the spectrum of stranger-to-partner rapes. In stranger rape cases, passive language often obscures the suspect and emphasises the complainant’s behaviour. Acquaintance rapes frequently involved misunderstandings centred on visible distress and mixed signals. Partner rapes highlighted issues around consent and coercion, with officers often ignorant of coercive control and domestic abuse. These findings align with Operation Bluestone Soteria (OSB); thus, the recommendations align with those made by OSB’s Pillar One. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
23 pages, 749 KiB  
Article
Rape Myths and Verdict Systems: What Is Influencing Conviction Rates in Rape Trials in Scotland?
by Lee John Curley, Martin Lages, Pamela J. Sime and James Munro
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070619 - 21 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2915
Abstract
The Scottish verdict system includes three verdicts: ‘guilty’, ‘not guilty’ and ‘not proven’. Politicians propose that the three-verdict system is partially to blame for the low conviction rate of rape, whereas research suggests that rape myths may be having a larger impact. To [...] Read more.
The Scottish verdict system includes three verdicts: ‘guilty’, ‘not guilty’ and ‘not proven’. Politicians propose that the three-verdict system is partially to blame for the low conviction rate of rape, whereas research suggests that rape myths may be having a larger impact. To test the effects of varying verdict systems (guilty, not guilty and not proven; guilty and not guilty; a series of proven and not proven verdicts) and rape myths on juror verdicts. A total of 180 participants answered questions regarding their acceptance of rape myths using the Acceptance of Modern Myth and Sexual Aggression (AMMSA) scale. They then watched a staged rape trial filmed in a real courtroom and reached a verdict. Participants also provided longer-form answers on which thematical analysis was conducted. The main findings are as follows: (1) The special verdict system leads to a higher conviction rate than the other systems when rape myth acceptance is controlled for. (2) The higher the rape myth acceptance, the more favourably the accused was perceived and the less favourably the complainer was perceived. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
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23 pages, 514 KiB  
Case Report
Experiencing Traumatic Violence: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of One Man’s Lived Experience of a Violent Attack Involving a Knife
by Zoe Partington, R. Stephen Walsh and Danielle Labhardt
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15010089 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 975
Abstract
A review of the violent knife crime literature suggests that the experiential perspective is one which has not been addressed in academic study. The research presented hereafter aims to address this literary gap and generate transferable knowledge relevant to the lived experience of [...] Read more.
A review of the violent knife crime literature suggests that the experiential perspective is one which has not been addressed in academic study. The research presented hereafter aims to address this literary gap and generate transferable knowledge relevant to the lived experience of violent knife crime. The experiential study of the single case within psychological research involves detailed examination of a particular event. Participant ‘J’ is the survivor of an extremely violent attack, involving the use of a knife, in his own home. J’s experience was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis with reference to elements of the lifeworld: temporality, spatiality, intersubjectivity, and embodiment. Three themes were identified: 1. switching from past to present tense when relaying traumatic experience; 2. The presence of redemption sequences; and 3. making sense as a temporal process, which included an additional two subthemes—‘The long journey’ and ‘Seeking belongingness’. This case emphasises that the traumatic event is conceptualised as one part of a longer journey towards recovery, and that recovery itself is central to the experience of violent knife crime. Finally, the need to understand recovery as temporal process highlights the need to provide victims with appropriate support in order to avoid negative outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Developments in Attitudes and Interactions with Victims of Crime)
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