15

Jul

2024

[Resource] Experiences of victim blaming and its impact on help-seeking, crime reporting and recovery: key findings report

  • External Article
  • digital resource
  • Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support
  • research
  • victim blaming

Victim Support interviewed 31 New Zealand crime victims who had experienced victim blaming, uncovering five key themes. Victim blaming, where crime victims are held responsible for their victimisation, deflects blame from perpetrators. This may discourage victims from seeking help or reporting crime, a significant issue in New Zealand where only 28% of crime is reported. It may also impede their recovery. Preventing victim blaming requires understanding victims’ experiences, especially among Māori, Rainbow, and disabled communities, who face higher crime rates. This research aims to raise awareness of victim blaming and its impact on help-seeking, crime reporting and recovery.