Understanding polyvictimisation in New Zealand: who experiences it and what combination of crime types are most common?

• In Event: Victimology in Context: Historical Insights, Cultural Impacts, Cybercrime, and Polyvictimization

Abstract

Polyvictimisation, whereby a person experiences multiple types of victimisation, has been found to be associated with negative health outcomes. Due to the harm often caused by polyvictimisation, it is desirable to better understand victimisation patterns among this acutely victimised group for the optimal alignment of victim support services. In this presentation we present the results of a study into polyvictimisation, using five waves of data from the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey. We first present the intersectional profiles of groups who experience high levels of polyvictimisation, produced using the method of Conjunctive Analysis of Case Configurations. We then present regression models that discern which intersectional characteristics are statistically significantly related to victimisation. We contextualise these results by presenting latent class analysis that reveals what combinations of crime types polyvictims tend to experience, and how this relates to their social characteristics. We finish by drawing out the implications of the findings for policy and victim-oriented support services.

Authors

• Lisa Tompson, University of Waikato

• Apriel Jolliffe Simpson, University of Waikato