Factors for Concern about Crime and Trust in the Police after Experiencing Violent Crime

Abstract

Concern about crime is linked with negative psychological outcomes, decreased health and well-being, whereas low trust in the police leads to underreporting crimes, resenting restrictions, as well as lack of cooperation with the police. Due to those profound consequences the finding that being the victim of a violent crime both increases concern about crime as well as decreases trust in the police led to this study. Eleven victims of violent crime were interviewed in order to measure their concern about crime, trust in the police and change in those after the experience, as well as possible fortifying factors such as personality, attitudes and circumstances. Both recruitment and interview happened online through the use of social media and chat programmes. The participants come from the USA and Europe. Seven of the participants were selected for having experienced the crime during their day to day lives whereas the other four were selected for having dealt with violent crime as part of their vocation, namely two security guards and two nurses at behavioral problem wards. The data indicates that a calm mindset during the attack, lack of feeling like a victim and facing violence due to your vocation lower the likelihood of increased concern about crime. Trust in the police is more influenced by caring, honest police officers than efficiency in solving cases. These findings indicate that therapy could be improved by focusing on coping strategies that emphasise acceptance of life’s inherent danger, social support and inner balance. Training of violent vocations should focus not on controlling the situation but staying calm and thinking the situation through. Police officers can improve their image with the public by showing care for the victim instead of focusing on only on the case.