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Cost of crime The impact of crime spreads beyond the obvious victims and their families. Witnesses to crime can also be traumatised and communities can live in fear as a result of offences such as rape and burglary that are committed in their midst. For some people, criminal activities can lead to a lifetime of suffering, requiring professional counseling and support. Crime also costs society a great deal in financial resources – the cost of running our criminal justice system – the police force, court system and prison system is significant.
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Impact of Crime on Individuals and Society Cost of crime The
impact of crime spreads beyond the obvious victims and their
families. Witnesses to crime can also be traumatised and
communities can live in fear as a result of offences such as rape
and burglary that are committed in their midst. For some people,
criminal activities can lead to a lifetime of suffering, requiring
professional counseling and support. Crime also costs society a
great deal in financial resources the cost of running our criminal
justice system the police force, court system and prison system is
significant. Physical and psychological impacts:
While some victims of crime recover quickly, others remain burdened
by their experiences for many years, even a lifetime. The following
factors affect many victims of crime. Physical and psychological
impacts: anxiety, including stress-related disorders such as
irrational fears and panic attacks physical injuries such as
wounds, lacerations, broken bones, sprains, burns other health
conditions, such as heart attack, stroke and fractures from falling
caused by physical attack permanent disability and disfigurement
substantial lifestyle changes, including restriction of activities
once enjoyed sleeplessness and eating disorders exposure to
sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy for sexual
assault victims guilt and self-blame. Lifestyle issues: concerns
about personal safety
problems with important relationships social withdrawal concerns
about being trusted, especially if the victim experienced intense
questioning from lawyers when on the witness stand, which made the
person feel as if they appeared unreliable increased feelings of
vulnerability persistent avoidance of things associated with the
traumatic event. Financial impacts: medical bills (emergency
transportation, physiotherapy, medical supplies) rental costs for
wheelchairs, ramps and crutches occupational therapy job retraining
mental health counseling and therapy lost wages due to
incapacitation, rehabilitation, or taking time off work to repair
damages from property crime, participate in criminal proceedings as
a witness, or seek medical or mental health treatment costs of
replacing locks and changing security devices fees incurred in
changing bank or credit card accounts higher insurance premiums
relocation expenses. After the physical scars of crime fade, some
victims are still left with the emotional and financial costs of
crime DEATH AND PAYBACK Brenton Chaplin was the driver of the car
in which a passenger, Leigh Charter, 20 years, was killed in a
collision with a pole at Seaspray in Gippsland in January Chaplin
was travelling at 126 kilometers per hour in an 80 kilometers per
hour zone and had a blood-alcohol concentration of when he lost
control of his vehicle. As tragic as this was, more tragedy was to
strike the town of Harcourt where the men had lived. Thirteen
months after the death of his best friend in the crash, Chaplin was
again in mourning when his mother was murdered in a revenge attack
by Leigh Charter's father. Mr Charter then took his own life after
also injuring Chaplin's father, brother and cousin. Judge Howie
described it as a shocking and terrible act of vengeance. In
February 2010, in the County Court, Chaplin was jailed for four
years with a minimum of 18 months for a range of offences including
culpable driving. Chaplin had pleaded guilty. Judge Ross Howie
urged the Chaplin and Charter families and their supporters to heal
their differences, so that the town could move forward from the
three tragic deaths. There were over 120 people in attendance to
hear the sentencing. Evidence was given at the trial that Leigh
Charter was like a brother to Chaplin, who witnesses said bawled
his eyes out after the crash. Chaplin had spoken to police of
killing himself and said he had done the worst thing in my life.
Let there be no doubt, you are in no way to blame for the death of
your mother or for Mr Charter's other actions, the judge said at
the sentencing hearing. Although Judge Howie felt that Chaplin had
suffered enough for the death of Charter, he explained carefully to
the packed gallery that deterrence was the main factor in
sentencing the defendant to a term of imprisonment. The Ripple
Effect Many experts speak of crime having a ripple effect, from
those who are directly involved as victims, spreading out to
elderly people who live in communities where crime has occurred who
are afraid to go out at night. TEST your understanding
1. Outline three impacts of crime on an individual. 2. Explain two
ways in which crime can affect a community. APPLY your
understanding
5. Read the fictional scenario below and answer the questions that
follow. Jane is a 55-year-old widow who lives with her elderly
mother in the family home. In June 2010, Jane was assisting her
mother in a supermarket when her handbag was stolen from the
shopping trolley. Jane lost her wallet, her keys, her mobile phone
and her personal diary. Police did not recover the handbag. Jane
suffered stress and anxiety after the attack and she moved with her
mother into a local motel while her house and car were re-keyed. a.
Explain the impact of this crime in terms of Jane's physical
wellbeing. b. What financial losses would Jane have incurred as a
result of this offence? c. What would have been the emotional and
lifestyle impact on Jane? 6. Refer to the case study Death and
payback. a. What effect did these deaths have on the community of
Harcourt? Explain the ways in which this case highlights the
dangers of taking the law into your own hands. b. Do you believe
that Judge Howie should have taken the death of Brentonx Chaplin's
mother into consideration when sentencing her son in this case?
Explain your answer in a 300-word response