M3_A1
In Module 3, you will explore and review the literature regarding the assessment and evaluation of victims.
Forensic psychology professionals are often called by judges to clarify certain diagnoses and provide treatment recommendations in complex cases not necessarily falling within a delinquency matter. Oftentimes, they relate to the matter of a child in need of services (CHINS). Such children can come to the attention of the courts in a variety of ways, such as abuse reporting by school personnel; the Department of Children and Families being involved in the household due to domestic violence or substance abuse by the adults; or anonymous calls to 911 by concerned neighbors, friends, or family members.
In adults, especially women survivors of sexual abuse, you will see the diagnoses of somatization disorder, borderline personality disorder, and dissociative disorder, all of which have some negative connotations. The forensic psychology professional may encounter victims with these conditions in:
The juvenile and domestic relation courts, involved with care and protection matters
The adult court for cases related to assault and battery or drug-related charges
By the time you are assigned to see a victim of a traumatic event, it is critical to remember that the person may not want to discuss the issue because the victim has already talked about it to several people. For example, a rape victim may have already talked to the police, a nurse, a doctor, a family member, or a friend, as well as a victim advocate or a prosecutor. If you are a crisis counselor, or you work in a mental health clinic as a therapist and you have been asked to assess this person, your first task is to establish rapport and make this individual comfortable with you. If you fail to do this, you may not get reliable information from the client (because the client may not disclose important information to you).
A person-centered approach might work well to make the victim feel safe and begin the process of trusting you as the helping professional. The type and duration of treatment that a victim needs might depend upon many factors, such as the type and severity of the assault as well as the resiliency of the victim and the victim's existing support network. The initial assessment will include evaluations in these areas as well as provide the victim with information about treatment options. The victim should also be advised about possible symptoms he or she may experience, such as sleeplessness, sensitive startle reflex, hypervigilance, nightmares, impaired daily functioning, guilt, problems with personal relationships, self-blame, and a feeling of loneliness.
Identify and evaluate commonalities and differences in demographic variables and psychological profiles between subtypes of victims that may present in forensic settings.
Define and analyze the role and impact of the criminal justice system on victims.
Define and analyze the role and impact of past and current legal rights on victims.
Compare and contrast empirical research findings related to the assessment and evaluation of victims.
Compare and contract empirical research findings for related to treatment for victims.
Exploring the Mental Status Examination
The elements of a good assessment include a mental status examination (MSE) and history. To review an article explaining the procedure of the MSE and history, refer to the Webliography.
Other assessment methods include the use of psychological instruments, if you are qualified to use them, or the referral for a psychological evaluation.
At times, the forensic psychology professional may be involved in assisting with cases where individuals may be requesting political asylum due to a history of torture or severe trauma, as well as the fear of continued abuse and retaliation if they return to their homelands. In those cases, you may be asked to interview individuals who suffered tremendous and often chronic trauma and who have tried to move on as much as they can. The attorneys in these cases may pressure you to obtain information quickly. Part of your job will be to explain to the attorneys facts about the psychology of trauma and why you may need several interviews to obtain the information necessary to help these persons.
In this module, you will begin to understand how to apply the concepts learned in this course in real-life scenarios. An important part of the skills you will develop in this course is the ability to design appropriate interventions, and that includes designing an assessment strategy appropriate to the particular client being treated. In this assignment, you will create an assessment strategy based on the information provided in the clinical vignette/case study. Additionally, you will discuss the identification of potential pitfalls in the interviewing of victims.
Please view Victims in the Criminal Justice System
Lingering Impacts
The harm suffered by victims can be organized into three categories: emotional, physical, and financial. The emotional impact can be experienced immediately, in the future, or both. Many victims report that they experience triggers from everyday activities that unexpectedly remind them of their trauma. The physical impact may involve injuries sustained in the assault, some of which may leave permanent scars or result in chronic pain or debilitation. The financial impact may come into play as victims assess loss of property and learn that their insurance may not fully cover the medical treatment they require. In addition, victims may not emotionally be able to continue living in their current homes, necessitating the unexpected expense of a move.
When survivors of sexual assault consider reporting the crime to law enforcement, they are oftentimes intimidated and overwhelmed by the questions they will have to answer and procedures they will be asked to undergo. The process of reporting an assault to law enforcement, going to the hospital, being given a rape kit to collect evidence, being tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, and answering innumerable questions from different people often feels to survivors like a second assault. Survivors often feel ashamed, judged, or that others believe they are to blame for their assault.
Questions from law enforcement professionals often feed into these feelings. The victim may be asked what she was wearing, why she was engaged in that type of activity, why she was alone, if she said "no," and if she fought back. A victim may interpret these questions as implying that if she had made a different decision, worn different clothes, fought harder, or objected more strenuously, the assault may not have happened. Victim blaming by law enforcement, whether genuinely occurring or simply being perceived by the victim, can be quite damaging and cause the victim to doubt herself and her competency and ability to function.
Other types of victims may experience guilt or blame as well. It's hard to understand "why bad things happen," and oftentimes, victims may search for reasons to explain the horrific events. "If only" types of messages may go through their minds: "If only I had left sooner," "If only I had driven rather than taken the bus," "If only I had set the alarm," "If only I had not made eye contact," and on and on. Victims begin to second-guess themselves and their behaviors rather than putting the full responsibility for the offense on the offender.
Forensic psychology professionals should help victims identify their feelings and help them learn to reality test. It's natural to desire to feel in control of one's own destiny, but some things are beyond our power to predict or prevent. The sooner a victim is able to come to terms with that reality, the sooner he or she can begin to return to a normal routine, integrate the experience, and move forward.
Please view Victims’ Rights
Conclusion
Navigating the criminal justice process can be a source of additional trauma for the victim of a violent crime. The criminal justice system is designed to protect the rights of the accused; the rights of the victim are secondary at best. The victim's rights are a much more recent focus in the criminal justice system. Part of the role of the forensic psychology professional is to be aware of the victim's varying responses to the assault and the subsequent criminal justice process and to help make law enforcement professionals aware of this as well. In this module, we focused on the impact of the criminal justice system on victims, legal rights of victims, services available to victims, and the right of the victim to be heard via the victim impact statement.