POL5102 - Victims & Witnesses

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Understand the law, policy, and guidance in the treatment of victims and witnesses

Understand the complexities associated with victim and witness care

Understand how to apply good practice when dealing with the individual needs of victims and witnesses

Understand appropriate behaviours and attitudes when dealing with victims and witnesses

Understand the requirements of an initial assessment of the situation

Understand how to provide appropriate ongoing victim care after first response to incidents, crimes, disasters, or investigations

Understand the diverse types of justice outcomes, both judicial and non-judicial

Explain the processes used to manage victims through the criminal justice system post-judicial proceedings

Content:

Victims of crime attract unprecedented academic interest, both as a subject of psychological enquiry, and as a focus of criminal justice policy. Since the 1960s, victimisation surveys have aimed to quantify the unreported ‘dark figure’ of crime and have thus helped to build interest in this area. The need to protect the rights of victims has become increasingly important in terms of public opinion and judicial practice. This has given rise to revisions in sentencing and the advent of restorative justice. The rights of victims are now viewed as an integral part of criminal justice. Whilst societal views and criminal justice responses have impacted upon victims and their status, it is of importance to understand the physical, social, psychological, and emotional effects they might face in context of the primary offence. Therefore, both societal and psychological effects will therefore be explored within this module.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 40
Intended group size: 25-40

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Written Assignment: Students will write a 4000-word critique on two theoretical perspectives of victimology and evaluate how each has influenced the perception and understanding of ‘the victim.’

Other information
The module must be passed (minimum 40) as a requirement of the College of Policing and cannot be condoned for marginal failure

Assessment:

001 Written assingment; 4,000 words; end of semester 2 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Thomas Naden
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5S2

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