A victimization experience may turn the world of a victim upside down. In the aftermath of the victimization incident, the reactions and help from others may have important effects on the recovery of the victim. The way victims experience and interpret their victimization and how they cope with it can be influenced by the reactions of others. However, before another person can help the victim, or before another person can make the victimization experience even worse due to his or her reaction to the victim, the victim has to tell this person about the victimization experience. This article focuses on the persons and agencies mid-adolescents turn to on becoming a victim. Based on a paper-and-pencil school survey in Ghent, Belgium among 557 14–16-year-old pupils, this study shows that mid-adolescent victims of theft, violence and extortion turn in the first instance to parents and peers. Concerning formal agencies, the results indicate that mid-adolescents are barely aware of the existence of assistance services and that they report victimization to the police only to a small degree.
AdelsohnJBeallL (1970) Adolescent perspectives on law and gvernment. Law and Society Review4(4): 495–504.
2.
AntonucciTCAkiyamaH (1994) Convoys of attachment and social relations in children, adolescents, and adults. In: NestmannFHurrelemannK (eds) Social Networks and Social Support in Childhood and Adolescence. New York: de Gruyter, pp. 37–52.
3.
ArmstrongDHineJHackingSArmaosRJonesRKlessingerNFranceA (2005) Children, Risk and Crime: the On Track Youth Lifestyles Surveys. Home Office Research Study 287. Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, London.
4.
Aye MaungN (1995) Young People, Victimization and the Police: British Crime Survey Findings on Experiences and Attitudes of 12 to 15 Year Olds. Home Office Research Study No. 140, Home Office, London.
5.
BerndtTJ (1989) Obtaining support from friends during childhood and adolescence. In: BelleD (ed.) Children's Social Networks and Social Supports. New York: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 308–331.
6.
BillietJCartonA (2006) Dataverzameling: Gestandaardiseerde Interviews en Zelf-in-tevullen Vragenlijsten. In: BillietJWaegeH (eds) Een Samenleving Onderzocht. Methoden van Sociaal-wetenschappelijk OnderzoekAntwerpen: Uitgeverij De Boeck nv, pp. 285–314.
7.
BozhovichLI (2004) Developmental phases of personality formation in childhood (III). Journal of Russian and East European Psychology42: 71–88.
8.
BrownBB (1990) Peer groups and peer cultures. In: FeldmanSSElliotGR (eds) At the Threshold: The Developing Adolescent. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, pp. 171–196.
9.
BrownBBKluteC (2006) Friendships, cliques, and crowds. In: AdamsGRBerzonskyMD (eds) Blackwell Handbook of Adolescence. Malden: Blackwell, pp. 330–348.
10.
BurssensD (2007) Onder, Op en Over de Schreef. Jongeren en Delinquentie. In: VettenburgNElchardusMWalgraveL (eds) Jongeren in Eijfers en Letters. Bevindingen uit de JOP-monitor 1. Leuven: LannooCampus, pp. 217–248.
11.
CauceAMMasonCGonzalesNHiragaYLiuG (1994) Social support during adolescence: Methodological and theoretical considerations. In: NestmannFHurrelmannK (eds) Social Networks and Social Support in Childhood and Adolescence. New York: de Gruyter, pp. 89–108.
12.
ColemanJCHendryL (1990) The Nature of Adolescence. London: Routledge.
13.
de LeeuwEHoxJSnijkersG (1998) The effect of computer-assisted interviewing on data quality. In: BlythB (ed.) Market Research and Information Technology. Application and Innovation. Amsterdam: ESOMAR, pp. 173–198.
14.
DeakinJ (2006) Dangerous people, dangerous places: The nature and location of young people's victimisation and fear. Children and Society20: 376–390.
15.
DunnJ (2004) Sibling relationships. In: SmithPKHartCH (eds) Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Social Development. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, pp. 223–237.
16.
EsbensenFMillerMTaylorTHeNFrengA (1999) Differential attrition rates and active parental consent. Evaluation Review23: 316–335.
17.
FaganJTylerTR (2005) Legal socialization of children and adolescents. Social Justice Research18(3): 217–242.
18.
Federale Politie (2006) Veiligheidsmonitor 2006. Federale Politie – Directie van de Nationale Gegevensbank, Brussel.
19.
FeldmanRS (2008) Adolescence. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
20.
FelsonRBMessnerSFHoskinAWDeaneG (2002) Reasons for reporting and not reporting domestic violence to the police. Criminology40(3): 617–648.
21.
FinkelhorD (1995) The victimization of children: A developmental perspective. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry65: 177–193.
22.
FinkelhorDDziuba-LeathermanJ (1994) Children as victims of violence: A national survey. Pediatrics94: 413–420.
23.
FinkelhorDKendall-TackettK (2008) Developmental impact. In: FinkelhorD (ed.) Childhood Victimization. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 65–91.
FinkelhorDWolakJ (2003) Reporting assaults against juveniles to the police: Barriers and catalysts. Journal of Interpersonal Violence18(2): 103–128.
26.
FinkelhorDWolakJBerlinerL (2001) Police reporting and professional help seeking for child crime victims: A review. Child Maltreatment6(1): 17–30.
27.
FinkelhorDOrmrodRTurnerHHambySL (2005) The victimization of children and youth: A comprehensive, national survey. Child Maltreatment10(1): 5–25.
28.
FinkelhorDWolakJBerlinerL (2008) Getting help: What are the barriers? In: FinkelhorD (ed.) Childhood Victimization. Oxford: Oxford University Press: pp. 102–121.
29.
GoreSColtenME (1991) Introduction: Adolescent stress, social relationships, and mental health. In: ColtenMEGoreS (eds) Adolescent Stress: Causes and Consequences. New York: Aldine de Gruyter, pp. 1–14.
30.
GottliebBH (1991) Social support in adolescence. In: ColtenMEGoreS (eds) Adolescent Stress: Causes and Consequences. New York: Aldine de Gruyter, pp. 281–306.
31.
GoudriaanH (2006) Reporting crime: Effects of social context on the decision of victims to notify the police. PhD Dissertation, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
32.
GreenS (2007) Crime, victimisation and vulnerability. In: WalklateS (ed.) Handbook of Victims and Victimology. Portland: Willan Publishing, pp. 91–117.
33.
HartlessJMDittonJNairGPhillipsS (1995) More sinned against than sinning. British Journal of Criminology35(1): 114–133.
34.
HashimaPYFinkelhorD (1999) Violent victimization of youth versus adults in the National Crime Victimization Survey. Journal of Interpersonal Violence14: 799–820.
35.
HeathSBrooksRCleaverEIrelandE (2009) Researching Young People's Lives. London: SAGE.
36.
Helweg-LarsenKBoving-LarsenH (2003) Ethical issues in youth surveys: Potentials for conducting a national questionnaire study on adolescent schoolchildren's sexual experiences with adults. American Journal of Public Health93: 1878–1882.
37.
KemshallHPritchardJ (2000) Good Practice in Working with Victims of Violence. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
38.
KingeryPMCoggeshallMBAlfordAA (1998) Violence at school: Recent evidence from four national surveys. Psychology in the Schools35(3): 247–258.
39.
KoffmanL (1996) Crime Surveys and Victims of Crime. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.
40.
KutherTLHiggins-D'AllessandroA (2000) Bridging the gap between moral reasoning and adolescent engagement in risky behaviour. Journal of Adolescence23: 409–422.
41.
LametWWittebroodK (2009) Nooit meer Dezelfde. Gevolgen van Misdrijven voor Slachtoffers. Den Haag: Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau.
42.
LaubJH (1990) Patterns of criminal victimization in the United States. In: LurigioAJSkoganWGDavisRC (eds) Victims of Crime: Problems, Policies and Programs. Newbury Park: SAGE. pp. 23–49.
43.
LeffertNPetersenA (1995) Patterns of development during adolescence. In: RutterMSmithDJ (eds) Psychosocial Disorders in Young People, Time Trends and their Causes. Chichester: Wiley, pp. 67–103.
44.
LoaderI (1996) Youth, Policing and Democracy. Houndmills: Macmillan Press.
45.
LuciaSHerrmannLKilliasM (2007) How important are interview methods and questionnaire design in research on self-reported juvenile delinquency? An experimental comparison of Internet vs. paper-and-pencil questionnaires and different definitions of the reference period. Journal of Experimental Criminology3(1): 39–64.
46.
McCartMRSmithDWSawyerGK (2010) Help seeking among victims of crime: A review of the empirical literature. Journal of Traumatic Stress23: 198–206.
47.
Mass-de WaalCJ (2006) Voorzieningen voor Slachtoffers van Misdrijven. Den Haag: Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau.
MORI (2004) MORI Youth Survey 2004. Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, UK.
50.
NorrisFHKaniastyKThompsonMP (1997) The Psychological Consequences of Crime. In: DavisRCLurigioAJSkoganWG (eds) Victims of CrimeThousand Oaks: SAGE, pp. 146–166.
51.
ReisigMDCorreiaME (1997) Public evaluations of police performance: An analysis across three levels of policing. Policing2(2): 311–325.
52.
RosenbaumDP (1987) Coping with victimization: The effects of police intervention on victims psychological readjustment. Crime and Delinquency33(4): 502–519.
53.
RubackRBThompsonMP (2001) Social and Psychological Consequences of Violent Victimization. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
ShaplandJ (1988) Fiefs and peasants: Accomplishing change for victims in the criminal justice systems. In: MaguireMPointingJ (eds) Victims of Crime: A New Deal?Milton Keynes: Open University Press, pp. 187–194.
56.
SkoganWG (1986) Methodological issues in the study of victimization. In: FattahEA (ed.) From Crime Policy to Victim Policy. Reorienting the Justice System. Houndmills: The Macmillan Press, pp. 80–116.
57.
SmithDJMcVieSWoodwardRShuteJFlintJMcAraL (2001) The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime: Key Findings at Ages 12 and 13. Available at: www.law.ed.ac.uk/cls/esytc/findreport/wholereport.pdf(accessed 18 March 2009).
58.
SmitsW (2004) Maatschappelijke Participatie van Jongeren. Bewegen in de Sociale, Vrijetijds- en Culturele Ruimte. Onuitgegeven onderzoeksraport. Brussel: VUB, Onderzoeksgroep TOR.
59.
SnyderHNSickmundN (1999) Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1999 National Report. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
SparksRFGennHGDoddDJ (1977) Surveying Victims: A Study of the Measurement of Criminal Victimization. Chichester: Wiley.
62.
Van DijkJJM (1992) Als de Dag van Gisteren. Over de Betrouwbaarheid van het Slachtofferverhaal. Justitiële Verkenningen3: 47–65.
63.
Van DijkJManchinRvan KesterenJNevalaSHidegG (2007a) The Burden of Crime in the EU. Research Report: A Comparative Analysis of the European Crime and Safety Survey (EU ICS) 2005. EUICS, Brussels.
64.
Van DijkJvan KesterenJSmitP (2007b) Criminal Victimisation in International Perspective: Key Findings from the 2004-2005 ICVS and EU ICS. Meppel: Boom Juridische Uitgevers.
65.
Van KesterenJMayhewPNieuwbeertaP (2000) Criminal Victimization in Seventeen Industrialized Countries: Key Findings from the 2000 International Crime Victims Survey. Den Haag: Ministerie van Justitie, WODC.
66.
VynckierG (2010) Toegang tot Minderjarige Onderzoekssubjecten en het Effect van Duderlijke Toestemming: een Explorerende Analyse. Panopticon5: 95–99.
67.
VynckierGPauwelsLVan DammeA (2010) Slachtofferschap onder Cerstegraads Leerlingen: Een Beschrijvende Schets op Basis van Slachtofferenquetes in Sint-Niklaas en Lokeren. In: De KeulenaerSDeltenreSDeschampsL. (eds) Criminografische Ontwikkelingen: van (Victim)-survey tot Penitentiaire Statistiek. Antwerpen-Apeldoorn: Maklu, pp. 61–82.
68.
WittebroodK (2006) Slachtoffers van Criminaliteit: Feiten en Achtergronden. Den Haag: Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau.
69.
WoodM (2005) The Victimisation of Young People: Findings from the Crime and Justice Survey 2003. London: Home Office.
