Care for Minor Victims of Crime: Insights from Interviews with Professionals and Minors in Flanders

• In Event: Understanding Youth Victimization

Abstract

Despite the increased knowledge about various aspects of victimization since the 70’s, the existing research does not provide a conclusive answer to the question what needs arise from this experience. In addition, research has paid less attention to certain groups of crime victims, such as minors. To fill this gap, this doctoral research aims to map out the following elements: (1) the needs of minor victims in Flanders, (2) the ways in which the current victim care considers the specific and individual needs of minor victims and (3) the experience of minor victims with the victim care they received in response to their victimisation. In this presentation, the second and third aim of the research play a central part. The researcher will shed a light on the results of the interviews with professionals working in victim care and with minor victims themselves. Firstly, the way in which the three main victim services pay attention to the individual needs of minor victims within the support they offer, will be explained. Subsequently, it is examined how the minors themselves experienced the victim care they received. Finally, the good practices and areas for improvement identified by the professionals and minors are elaborated on.

Author

• Emma Hadermann, KU Leuven