Question

Secondary victimization occurs

A. when relatives or acquaintances of a primary victim suffer as a result of the primary victim's trauma.
B. when a primary victim is treated poorly by law enforcement or the judicial system. C. when a primary victim is later victimized by a second criminal act.
D. when others are victimized as a result of failure to capture or prosecute the offender that first victimized the primary victim.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B, which relates to the poor treatment of primary victims by the criminal justice system, possibly leading to additional trauma and distress.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is option B: when a primary victim is treated poorly by law enforcement or the judicial system. Secondary victimization refers to the negative experiences that crime victims may endure from the criminal justice system, which can include a lack of sensitivity or understanding from law enforcement, attorneys, or judges.

This can lead to feelings of distress or trauma in addition to the harm caused by the original crime. The concept of secondary victimization is particularly relevant in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV), where victims may feel reluctant to report abuse due to fear of their perpetrator or concern over how they will be received by the authorities. In some instances, victims report compounding harm when their plight is not taken seriously or when they are disbelieved, which can exacerbate the trauma and isolate them further from potential support.