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Lesson Five: (Continued)
Distrust of the Criminal Justice System
In most instances of crime, it is the police who are the first point of
contact with the criminal justice system and the result of this encounter
often determines the victim’s further interactions with other
divisions of the justice system and victim service agencies.
Police relations with racial, ethnic, and other minorities have historically
been controversial, often rising to national attention as a result of specific
incidents, i.g., the video taped beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police
and the subsequent trial and resulting riots; the Liberty City riots following
the acquittal of police officers who were accused of beating to death an
African-American man in Miami; and the more recent ongoing case against
Brooklyn police officers accused of beating and torturing Abner Louima, a
33 year old Haitian man. As a result, many members of marginalized communities
distrust the criminal justice system and the police in particular.
Loyalty to One’s Own Cultural Group
If someone has been victimized by a member of his/her own cultural group,
there may be a hesitancy to report crimes or talk about them outside of the
cultural community, as this could be viewed as “airing dirty laundry.”
If it is widely known that crime is being committed within a particular group,
it can be viewed as a source of weakness. Groups that, due to societal
discrimination, have had the need to assert their own cultural identity,
political voice, and civil rights will be even more reluctant to open their
communities to external examination.
This might be a factor in the choice made by some African- American women
who, finding themselves in a violent relationship, refrain from reporting
their abusive partners (especially if they are men), given the negative
experiences of many African-American men in their interactions with the
criminal justice system. (For more information, see
Appendix 5.)
Shame and Taboo
Each culture has its taboos, and certain types of crime can bring shame upon
victims. Many women are terribly ashamed if they are sexually assaulted or
battered by their partners. In some instances, women may not be assured of
family or community support. One interviewee cited instances of some Latina
women confiding in church officials and being told to "go home and be a
good wife.
Prejudice
Prejudice and preconceived notions about groups of people can impede a
provider’s capacity for compassion. Although prejudice can be blatant,
it is more often a subtle manifestation of the misinformation taught and
reinforced through families, media, school, and lack of exposure to
difference.
For example, a provider might make the assumption that a person with a
strong accent is uneducated or poor, that a man who is a victim of rape
is gay, that someone who is on public assistance does not have the
intelligence or ability to understand the legal system, or that a gay
victim of domestic abuse is not monogamous.
Another manifestation of prejudice is the tendency to lump all members
of perceived cultural groups together, rather than viewing them as
individuals influenced by a variety of dynamic and interactive forces.
It is not difficult for most members of marginalized groups to distinguish
when they are the victims of prejudice. Not only does stereotyping
impede the provider’s ability to discern a victim's needs; it also
serves to break down the trust and mutual respect that are essential
to effective service delivery.
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