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October 25, 2007: Report Links Social Injustice And Crime
The experience of social injustice is concentrated among the
poorest and most vulnerable, according to a report just published by the
Centre for Crime and Justice
Studies at King's College London. Victims of crime living on low incomes are
substantially more likely to experience a range of civil legal problems.
The report,
`The
problems of everyday life', offers a detailed picture of the nature, pattern
and impact of people's experience of civil justice problems, along with
information on crime victimisation. It explores the nature and degree of
connections between social exclusion, criminal victimisation and the experience
of civil justice problems.
The report, authored by Dr Vicky Kemp, Professor Pascoe Pleasence and Dr Nigel
Balmer of the Legal Services Research Centre, presents findings from a survey of
more than 5,000 adults in households in England and Wales. The 2004 English and
Welsh Civil and Social Justice Survey (CSJS) is conducted by the Legal Services
Research Centre, the independent research arm of the Legal Services Commission.
The survey had responses from 5015 adults in private households in England and
Wales and covers around 100 different problems types, grouped into 18 distinct
problem categories: discrimination, consumer, employment, neighbours,
homelessness, rented housing, owned housing, money/debt, welfare benefits,
divorce, relationship breakdown, domestic violence, children, personal injury,
clinical negligence, mental health, immigration, unfair police treatment.
The findings show:
- a strong association between criminal victimisation, social
exclusion and people experiencing a broad range of civil justice problem. The
`socially excluded' appears to be at particular risk.
- socially excluded victims were substantially more likely to
experience civil problems than non-socially excluded non-victims, with 60 per
cent of the former group reporting problems compared to 28 per cent of the
latter group.
- Multiple victimisation and social exclusion are associated
with a dramatic increase in vulnerability to civil justice problems.
- The sense of powerlessness and helplessness often
experienced by people who face such problems.
One of the report's authors, Professor Pascoe Pleasence, Head
of the Legal Services Research Centre said:
'Importantly, the Civil and Social Justice Survey looks at
crime victimisation in the context of people's broader experience of social
and legal problems. So, we were able to explore the interrelationship between
victimisation, social exclusion and everyday rights related problems. Socially
excluded victims of crime were particularly likely to experience rights
problems also. This has important implications and again illustrates the
necessity of addressing social problems in a way that recognises their
interconnections, rather than in an ad hoc manner.'
Will McMahon, policy director of the Centre for Crime and
Justice Studies said
`This survey highlights the links between vulnerability,
poverty and social injustice. By looking at the challenges faced by the
socially excluded, it becomes clear that experience of social injustice is a
day to day reality for a substantial section of the population. While all the
main political parties have placed a huge emphasis on tackling crime, the far
more widespread experiences of injustice have often been overlooked.'
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