Assignment: Victim Participation in the Judicial Process/Replies

STUDENT REPLY #1 Torre Johnson

In this week's discussion I was asked to imagine that I was a law enforcement officer tasked with addressing the community about an increase in aggravated assault near subway stops. I will explain how victims in my community may contribute to the opportunity for aggravated assault near subway stops to occur. I will also explain how this relates to the concept of victim responsibility but is different from victim blaming.

Aggravated Assaults Near Subway Stops

It is said that subway stations in New York City maybe one of the most dangerous stops in the world regarding theft and robbery (NYsubway, 2018) This can include crimes of pick pocketing, purse snatching, violent robberies, and also sexual attacks. In 2018 it was reported that sex crimes in the New York City subway systems have gone up 51 percent over the last 3 years (NYsubway, 2018).

It is said the most dangerous time when attacks are most likely to occur is late at night or earlier in the morning. Sometimes it is impossible for people to avoid being out at that time so they must take personal responsibility to lessen their risk of being a target for an attack. There are multiple prevention methods the people in community can take to lessen the risk of becoming a target of a subway attack. These methods include:

Walk in groups whenever you can

Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible

Hold on to your pocketbook- keeping it in front of you

remain alert and pay attention to your surrounds

Trust your gut

report all suspicious activity to the local police

With this rise of crime New York Police Department are looking for ways to combat this violence which may include having officer deployment on stations and lines where there are higher numbers of riders and reports of crime (CBS, 2021). The New York Police Department are also looking to add officers in more visible areas, which could include on platforms and officers stationed on the subway carts. Even with the increased police present it is important everyone does their part to decrease the number of accessible targets by taking personal responsibility and following the above tips.

Is Preaching Victim Responsibility, A Form of Victim Blaming

Time and time again we preach victim responsibility. What can the average person do to avoid being the target of a crime. These tips of responsibility can include the buddy system, learning to trust your guy, being aware of surroundings, not wearing valuables in public, and staying off your phone in situations you are more likely to be targeted in. Even though a person can follow all these tips there is still a chance they may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time and fall victim to a crime. When this does happen when does preaching victim responsibility and suggesting tips for next time cross the line into victim blaming.

I think the many differences between victim blaming and personal responsibility is the role we want to place ourselves in. I feel there are always two options. To play the victims card, or to be a survivor and take personal responsibilities for the choices you made that may not have been the smartest. I feel switching the thought processes of being a victim and there’s nothing you can do about the situation that happened, to being a survivor that is taking personal responsibility can be very powerful, and taking control back from a situation that maybe you lost control in. It is in this situation that we can learn, it is not placing blame, fault, or burden but instead saying I am the creator of my life, and I am choosing to learn from this (Pierre, 2014).

Reference

CBS., (2021). Subway Crimes On The Rise As MTA Ridership Recovers From Pandemic Lows. CBS New York. Retrieved From: Subway Crimes On The Rise As MTA Ridership Recovers From Pandemic Lows - CBS New York (cbsnews.com)

NYCpolice., (2022). Subway Crime Prevention Tips. New York City Police Department. Retrieved From: Subway Crime Prevention Tips (nyc.gov)

NYsubway., (2018). Subway Station Safety Tips. New York City Subway System. Retrieved From: Subway Station Safety Tips: How to reduce your risk of being attacked (nysubway.com)

Pierre, C., (2014). Responsibility VS. Victimhood. Live Consciously. Retrieved From: Are you a victim or responsible for your own feelings and emotions? (liveconscious.com)

STUDENT REPLY #2 Pedro Perez

For this week's discussion, I will show how I would go about talking to a community about Aggravated assault near subway stops. First, I want to start by stating what New Jersey law considers as Aggravated Assault. " New Jersey law defines a number of scenarios (listed below) that constitute aggravated assault. Many of them center upon a defendant attempting to cause or actually causing some level of bodily injury. In addition, the injury must have been caused either purposely, knowingly, or recklessly"(CDL, n.d). First and foremost, I would like to start the conversation with the audience with a story in reference to the topic and educate them on what actually occurred and how they can use different tactics to not make oneself a victim. The meaning behind that would be first and foremost you should always be aware of your surroundings. Listening to music on headphones or earbuds without a care in the world is great. Unfortunately, the downside to that is you make yourself an easier target. If you are walking around with any extra baggage, make sure that it is in front of you and not hanging off your back. Assure that the zippers are closed and that no one can access your bag without your knowledge.

Do not stand near the edge of the platform, that way you lessen the possibility of becoming a target. If possible, always travel as a pair. When not possibly make sure you are constantly attentive to what is happening around you. You have to make sure no one can sneak up on you. "He was convinced that certain personal attributes played a part in determining susceptibility to attack. The mentally retarded (because they were less aware of dangers), newly arrived immigrants (unfamiliar with the language and customs), minorities (not given the same degree of protection by law enforcement authorities), less-educated individuals, and very inexperienced people were pictured as attractive targets for exploitation by offenders employing deception and fraud. Con artists swindled those who were greedy, heartbroken, depressed, or lonesome with legendary ease."(Karmen, 2020). Unfortunately, people who are looking to do harm will always pick on the "weak" not in strength but as a whole. It's always the last one in a heard that hyena's go for.

Reference

Criminal Defense Lawyer - Published by NOLO.

https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/criminal-offense/new-jersey-aggravated-assault-laws

Karmen, A. (2019). Crime Victims: An Introduction to Victimology (10th Edition). Cengage Limited. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780357300381