Jacqueline M. Gray

The relative risk perception of travel hazards.

Travelers have to take into consideration a variety of hazards when deciding on a destination. Although some research has considered the deterrent effect of specific hazards such as terrorism, the context in relation to other hazards has not been investigated. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relative importance of a number of travel hazards that may influence peoples travel decisions. A sample of 160 British university students, 37 nonstudent scuba divers, and 102 members of the public rated the risk of various travel hazards and whether these would deter them from traveling. Three types of travel hazards were identified using Smallest Space Analysis (SSA): political, social, and physical hazards. These were moderately correlated, but the greatest deterrence was reported for political hazards. It is concluded that although research should take account of the full context influencing travel decisions, some hazards, such as terrorism, are likely to have a dominant effect.

Attribution of blame for criminal acts and its relationship with psychopathy as measured by the Hare Psychopathic Checklist (PCL-SV).

The concept of psychopathy describes disordered individuals as lacking in responsibility and feelings of guilt for their actions. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between blame attribution (measured by the Gudjonsson Blame Attribution Inventory- Revised – GBAI-R) and psychopathy (measured by the Hare Psychopathic Checklist-Revised – PCL-SV) among mentally disordered offenders. It was hypothesised that psychopathy would correlate positively with external attribution of blame and negatively with feelings of guilt. Participants were 67 males from six medium secure units in the south east of England. A significant positive correlation was found between psychopathy (Factor 1 and Total score) and external attribution of blame, but not between psychopathy and feelings of guilt. The findings suggest that external attribution of blame is more associated with the interpersonal, affective and attitudinal factors of psychopathy (i.e. social–cognitive processes) than behavioural aspects (i.e. poor behavioural control).

Different Functions of Rape Myth Use in Court: Findings From a Trial Observation Study:

This study examines rape myth use in eight English rape trials and assesses attempts by trial participants to combat it. Trial notes, based on observations, were analyzed using thematic analysis. Rape myths were used in three identifiable ways: to distance the case from the “real rape” stereotype, to discredit the complainant, and to emphasize the aspects of the case that were consistent with rape myths. Prosecution challenges to the myths were few, and judges rarely countered the rape myths. This study provides new insights by demonstrating the ways that rape myths are utilized to manipulate jurors’ interpretations of the evidence.

What constitutes a “reasonable belief” in consent to sex? A thematic analysis

Abstract The prosecution of rape frequently requires a jury to decide whether the defendant reasonably believed that the complainant consented to sexual intercourse, thereby assuming a shared understanding of what constitutes a “reasonable belief in consent”. This study provides a thematic analysis of interviews with 18 university students, studying in London, UK, to explore their perceptions of “a reasonable belief in consent” when considering other peoples behaviour. The findings suggest that whilst these participants rejected many stereotypical ideas in judging reasonable belief in consent, the discussion regarding vulnerability, responsibility and the consumption of alcohol was less clear-cut. Discussions frequently sought to avoid directly blaming the victim for being raped, but would instead blame her for getting drunk or otherwise “allowing” herself to become vulnerable. The implications of these findings for the prosecution of rape and wider public education are considered.

Interviewing women bereaved by homicide Reports of secondary victimization by the criminal justice system

Secondary victimization occurs when victims of crime feel they have been subjected to inadequate, insensitive or inappropriate treatment, attitudes, behaviour, responses and/or practices by criminal justice and social agencies, which compound their original trauma. In order to investigate how an under-researched group of victims of crime may be subjected to secondary victimization by the criminal justice system (CJS), which in this research refers to the police, the Coroner’s Service and the legal (or court) system, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 women who had been bereaved by homicide. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) identified instances of multiple secondary victimization from all systems considered. Recommendations for how to reduce the secondary victimization of ‘co-victims’ of homicide are made, including: improving communication and promoting understanding between co-victims and the CJS; statutory rights for co-victims; and participatory rights in the legal process, such as access to victims’ lawyers or auxiliary prosecutors.

Understanding the ‘War on Terrorism’: Responses to 11 September 2001

This study investigates how people interpret the war on terrorism that commenced as a result of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. The utilitarian and retributive philosophies of punishment and the international relations approach to deterrence provide a framework for understanding the ways in which the war on terrorism may be construed. The participants were 178 British university students. The literature suggests that messages of deterrence and revenge have potentially opposite outcomes in terms of the behaviour of the targeted audience. This study identified five different messages that could be conveyed by the range of possible reprisals that could be taken in response to terrorist attacks: negotiation with terrorists; military action against terrorists; diplomacy with countries supporting terrorists; economic sanctions; and military action or use of weapons of mass destruction against countries supporting terrorists. All types of reprisal were understood as demonstrating that terrorism would not be tolerated, and none was interpreted as communicating that terrorism would be eliminated. Non-military responses of diplomacy and negotiation were interpreted as deterrence, whereas the more severe military sanctions were interpreted as revenge. It is suggested that there may be a discrepancy between intended and conveyed messages of government responses to terrorist action. Further research is required, but the findings of this study suggest that the nature of government responses to terrorism could have implications for public support for the war on terrorism and future counter-terrorism policies.

Suicide terrorism and post-mortem benefits

Lankford claims that suicide terrorists are suicidal, but that their suicidal tendencies are often frustrated by injunctive social norms. Martyrdom represents a solution, and terrorist organizations exploit this. In this commentary, we claim that this argument has not been fully made and that such ideation in itself does not explain a willingness to engage in punitive actions against an enemy. We suggest the psychology of kinship as a possible missing factor.

Interviewing women bereaved by homicide: assessing the impact of trauma-focused research

There have been few empirical studies that assess the impact of participation in trauma-focused research. To contribute to growing knowledge in this area, this study assessed the effects of research participation among 14 women who had been bereaved by homicide. An adapted version of the Response to Research Participation Questionnaire (RRPQ) was implemented as part of a wider study exploring secondary victimization by criminal justice systems; at the end of a qualitative interview, participants were asked three questions designed to assess benefits, harms and regrets associated with participation. All participants gained something positive from participation; half experienced upset; but none regretted participation. Suggestions are made for how researchers can minimize harm and maximize benefit to vulnerable research participants.

’It May Be True, but How's it Helping?’: UK Police Detectives' Views of the Operational Usefulness of Offender Profiling’

This study utilised qualitative semi-structured interviews with 11 detectives from a single UK police force, in an attempt to understand if, how, and why offender profiling can be operationally useful to police officers. Although some positive opinions were expressed, overall this study found the detectives to be dissatisfied customers of the service of offender profilers. Common complaints included profiles widening the field of investigation to unmanageable proportions in terms of suspects and cases, not telling police anything that they did not already know, profilers breaching the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and advice being simply common sense or too general. Police also reported feeling pressurised into continued use, despite their scepticism.

The prevalence and nature of sexual harassment and assault against women and girls on public transport: an international review

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings from a study commissioned by the British Transport Police and the Department for Transport for England and Wales concerning sexual offences and harassment on public transport worldwide. Specifically, it aims to explore the prevalence of such behaviours, through a review of existing survey and interview data regarding women and girls’ experiences. Design/methodology/approach A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was used, the function of which is to: search the literature as comprehensively as possible within given time constraints; collate descriptive outlines of the available evidence on a topic and critically appraise it; sift out studies of poor quality; and provide an overview of the evidence. Findings It was found that prevalence rates range from 15 to 95 per cent, with the UK having the lowest rates. Emerging economies had higher rates of harassment and assault, which may relate to differing cultural and gender norms, where public space is regarded as a male domain. Research limitations/implications A REA is not a full systematic review, differing in the scope and depth of the searches and depending almost exclusively on electronic databases, not accompanied by searching journals by hand. Practical implications More research of high methodological rigour needs to be carried out on prevalence rates of sexual harassment and offending on public transport worldwide. The high prevalence rates found suggest the need for more work around the area of interventions to curtail offending in this setting. The findings suggest that emerging economies, in particular, need to do more to address the problem of sexual harassment and assault on public transport. More fundamentally, cultural norms around women’s roles in society need to be addressed and challenged. Originality/value Women may become “transit captive” and socially excluded if they are afraid to travel on public transport and do not have access to private transport. This would be an unacceptable situation which must be addressed by transport authorities and police.