Rachel O'Rourke , Mike Marriott , Richard Trigg , Rosie Kitson-Boyce
{"title":"A phenomenological analysis of young male prisoners’ experiences of trauma: 'Trauma is every day'","authors":"Rachel O'Rourke , Mike Marriott , Richard Trigg , Rosie Kitson-Boyce","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100732","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100732","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the impact of trauma for 18-25-year-old men in a UK prison serving long sentences of more than 10 years, considering whether their offence and sentence length are part of that trauma, and exploring coping responses. Qualitative methodology (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: IPA) was used to analyse 9 semi-structured interviews with young men, discussing their experiences in their own terms. The experiences were organised into three overarching themes, 1. 'Conceptual Confusion', 2. The 'Impact Now of Trauma' and 3. 'Settling'. The study demonstrated that it is possible to discuss the concept of difficult life events with young adult male prisoners, though more difficult for some participants than others. The study supports existing concepts around the experience of trauma in young men, adding insights into the challenges to assessment and intervention work with this cohort, including avoiding assumptions of age-related homogeneity, and ideas for what might be helpful to these men whilst in prison.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 100732"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Leniency for otherwise law-abiding citizens? Testing the lapse theory and sentencing in England and Wales","authors":"Kevin Kwok-yin Cheng , Zachary Bok-hin Chan","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100715","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100715","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Scholars have argued that otherwise law-abiding citizens who have “lapsed” and committed a crime deserve leniency. This is referred to as the lapse theory. The discussions, however, have mainly focused on the lack of previous criminal convictions. The purpose of this study is to expand on the lapse theory by testing the effects of other lapse-based factors besides criminal record on sentence outcomes. Drawing on sentencing decisions in England and Wales, lapse-based factors, namely the crime being an isolated incident, the defendant acting out of character, and first-time offenders, were found to have a mitigating effect on sentence outcomes on two types of offenses: assault and drug dealing. When culpability was controlled for, these factors still had a mitigating effect for defendants who had premeditated their assaults and drug dealers who were deemed to play a significant role. The implications for sentencing guidelines and future studies are also discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100715"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prosecutions for female genital mutilation in Swedish courts: Tip of the iceberg or manifestation of epistemic injustice?","authors":"Sara Johnsdotter , Lotta Wendel","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100714","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100714","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100714"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inequality, cumulative disadvantage and youth justice: Towards an analytical framework for understanding and addressing inequalities in youth justice decision-making","authors":"Yannick van den Brink , Caroline Lanskey","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Demographic inequalities in law enforcement practices and subsequent youth justice decisions are well-documented in many youth justice systems worldwide. Informed by the concept of ‘cumulative disadvantage’ and empirical evidence from England & Wales and the Netherlands, this paper explores how inequalities in youth justice decisions are produced, how they might move and accumulate across different stages of the youth justice process and interact with inequalities in interlocking systems, specifically the educational system and the child protection system. Subsequently, this paper presents the first contours of an overarching analytical framework which can be used to unpack the complex web of dynamics, interactions and mechanisms that produce and reinforce inequalities in youth justice decisions. The analytical framework distinguishes seven spheres of influence – from the micro to the macro – that shape youth justice decision-making, out of which inequalities might develop and accumulate. These spheres of influence illustrate that interactions between individuals, agencies and systems as well as the wider societal context are all implicated in the mechanisms of creating, sustaining or amplifying children's inequalities and disadvantages in youth justice. Overall, by illuminating the complexity and the multidimensional nature of mechanisms of inequality and cumulative disadvantage in youth justice decision-making, the presented analytical framework offers researchers, policymakers and practitioners much-needed guidance to identify avenues for further inquiry and potential areas for reform, with the aim of effectively addressing unwarranted inequalities in youth justice in England & Wales, the Netherlands and internationally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100725"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143097290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gendered SLAPPs: Addressing criminal prosecutions against exposers of sexual and gender-based violence under international human rights law","authors":"Tejal Jesrani , Daimiris Garcia","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100729","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100729","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article explores the abuse of private criminal prosecutions to target those who report gender-based violence, illuminating how these “gendered” Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) violate victims' freedom of expression and access to justice around the world. Many cases took place in response to women breaking their silence about their own victimization as part of the #MeToo movement. But the demonization and criminalization of women's speech around harassment and abuse did not start there, nor has it ended. This phenomenon has not yet been adequately analyzed through case law, studied in the scholarly literature or recognized as an area for policy reform. Using international law and case studies, we aim to highlight the global reach of this phenomenon as well as the implications on victims' fundamental human rights. Finally, this article advocates for further research and proposes starting points for human rights and feminist-informed anti-SLAPPs legislation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100729"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143421099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cody Normitta Porter , Laura Haggar , Adam Charles Harvey , Paul Gavin
{"title":"Sexual misconduct and evaluation of candidate appropriateness for employment within a nonpublic-facing role","authors":"Cody Normitta Porter , Laura Haggar , Adam Charles Harvey , Paul Gavin","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100721","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100721","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Employment is a barrier for individuals with a prior sexual offence. This study examined employability for a non-public-facing, low-skilled job, before and after a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. The DBS check revealed either (i) rape, (ii) sexual activity with a child, (iii) possession of indecent photographs of children, or (iv) no criminal conviction. We measured ratings of trustworthiness, company value, and suitability for the role before and after the disclosure. Participants were then invited to keep or reject the candidate. As predicted, those with a prior sexual offence were perceived as less trustworthy, valuable, or suitable for employment. Contact offences received higher rejections (sexual activity with a child 49%, rape, 38%) than possession of photographs of children (32%). This data indicates discrimination still occurs when a DBS check is provided after an initial hiring decision. Directions for future research for enhancing employment opportunities are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100721"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143097292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elie K.N. Letourneur , Ada Pouye , Malika Mansouri
{"title":"Being victim in a postcolonial context: A quantitative study on power relations in Mayotte","authors":"Elie K.N. Letourneur , Ada Pouye , Malika Mansouri","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100727","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100727"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"We vs. them: Perception of terrorism in multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina in an intergroup perspective","authors":"Velibor Lalić, Žana Vrućinić, Predrag Ćeranić","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2025.100726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores how intergroup bias and conflict can be reduced in multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina, fostering conditions for intergroup dialogue that could lead to more effective counterterrorism policies. Intergroup Emotions Theory (IET) was applied to examine differences in perceptions of terrorism (PTQ-SF) based on ethnic/religious affiliation and sex. MANCOVA revealed statistically significant differences in perceptions of terrorism among ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the convenience sample (N = 576), with four out of eight subscales showing such differences. Additionally, significant differences were found between women and men across four subscales. Importantly, it was observed that sex, through re-categorization as a common category overlapping with ethnicity, may help reduce interethnic animosity by \"reconciling\" perceptions of terrorism. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100726"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143097289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"“It’s the workload, not the pictures that keep me up at night.” Experiences of Norwegian police prosecutors working with child abuse cases","authors":"Ingrid Steen Rostad , Eva Langvik","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prosecutors are regularly exposed to traumatic accounts of crimes against children in their work. Accompanied by other stressors such as heavy caseloads and short deadlines, prosecutors in child abuse cases are at risk for psychological ill-health. We aimed to explore the experiences of prosecutors working as leading interrogators in cases of child abuse and to identify their most salient challenges and resources. We conducted semi-structured interviews with six prosecutors working in a police district in Norway, all specialized in child abuse cases. A thematic analysis identified the workload and being responsible for the investigation but without any authority to allocate resources as the main stressors. Further, the nature of the cases increases the stress, and the prosecutors are left out of debriefing routines. Further, they experience marginal acknowledgment and understanding from the management, and collegial support is scarce. The prosecutors describe the complexity and challenging part of investigating child abuse cases as highly motivating and meaningful.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100723"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of data quality on spatial patterns of burglary and association with socio-environmental characteristics: A comparison between data from the Judicial Documents Website and police records","authors":"Zengli Wang , Jingjing Li , Xiaohan Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined the differences in spatial burglary patterns and their association with socio-environmental characteristics between publicly accessible crime data from Judicial Document Website (JDW) and police-recorded data with restricted access. We compared the spatial distribution of burglary incidents at the subdistrict level and applied a negative binomial regression to analyze differences in the relationship between burglary rates and socio-environment factors across the two datasets. JDW data accounted for approximately 10% of burglary cases documented by the police records. Compared to police records, JDW data quality had a minimal effect on spatial patterns, hotspot distribution, and the relationship between the burglary distribution and the explanatory variables. Our findings highlight that crime data quality plays an important role in revealing the spatial patterns of crime and their associations with socio-environmental characteristics. Further, this study also helps contextualize the criminology research using JDW data when that is the only option.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46026,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Law Crime and Justice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 100724"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143135597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}