DuBOIS, Pa. — Two criminal justice students at Penn State DuBois recently shared presentations with the campus community on different types of victimology that they selected and researched for a class taught by Selena Price, lecturer in criminal justice. Both presentations were accompanied by a panel discussion with a victim specialist in each of the discussed areas.
Victimology is the study of the psychological effects of a crime on a person. It also examines the relationship between victims and offenders. The goal is to find patterns and tendencies that would allow for better understanding, education and prevention of crime and abuse, said the participants.
Fourth-year student Cierra Hoffman presented “Childhood Trauma: The Lifelong Effect of Child Abuse,” on Dec. 4; and third-year student Lilia Lion presented “Behind the Badge: Examining Domestic Violence Within Law Enforcement," on Dec. 6.
Hoffman began her presentation by asking those in attendance, “What is the meaning of child abuse to you?” Hoffman said she asked this question to allow listeners to reflect and respond with their own, unique thoughts, but also to draw attention to the fact that the term "child abuse" covers much more than the physical harm that one can see visually.
“Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver fails to act or acts in a way that causes harm to a child,” Hoffman said in her presentation. “Not every sign of injury or illness means that a child is being abused, but sometimes a deeper investigation is warranted.”
Hoffman spoke on how challenging a topic child abuse is, and how it often evokes painful feelings for many individuals and families. Child abuse is considered to be an epidemic in the United States, with more than three million Child Protective Services investigations or other investigations into child abuse in the year 2020, according to Hillside Inc., said Hoffman.
Hoffman highlighted in her presentation that there are four major types of child abuse: emotional, sexual, physical and neglect.
Hoffman highlighted the many ways in which abuse can happen that might fall under each type. For example, she said, neglect can include physical, medical and educational neglect — all these cause a child to suffer in some way. Hoffman also shared detailed statistics on child abuse, the causes of child abuse, and the signs of child abuse, to help it be further recognizable by everyone.