Publication Type: Symposium Paper
Abstract: This article is drawn from a qualitative study of the role that school building leaders play in building parent and community involvement in their schools. The article focuses on four of the principals involved in the study who, with their students, staff, parents, and other community members, developed inclusive, meaningful, and transformative communities of involvement. The article delineates the contours of transformative communities of involvement within a discussion of five models of involvement. Subsequently, the beliefs that appeared to support the leaders work to develop and sustain such communities are examined along with a rich discussion of the role that trust played in their efforts and success.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The actions of terrorists are profoundly criminal in their outcome, intent, and definitions under the laws of most countries. However, the exact manner nature and dynamics of terror offending are not well understood. Although this is the case, the importance of firearms violations in escalating and facilitating terrorist violence has been shown to be an important factor. Accordingly this analysis makes use of 7,306 counts of terrorism related offenses brought to US courts between 1980 and 2003 contained in the American Terrorism Study (ATS). The authors use the ATS data to define the characteristics of U.S. terror prosecutions that involve firearm offences, and similarities and differences between terror and non-terror firearms offences. Policy implications are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The administration of justice in America often leaves families of homicide victims aggrieved and alienated. The purpose of this study is to examine the problems in the handling of police investigations involving murder cases and their impact on the lives of homicide co-victims. Of particular interest is the negative treatment, coined “secondary victimization,” that families of homicide victims receive from criminal justice personnel in handling police investigations. This paper provides a brief review of state laws regarding provisions that ensure victims and their families the right to be informed of advances in police investigations, especially in murder cases. Additionally, a review of the research examines the costs and benefits of police agencies adhering to state provisions in sharing crime-related information with homicide co-victims. Both a review of the literature and personal accounts from 27 co-victims illustrate the problems in the police handling of murder investigations and demonstrate the negative impact of secondary victimization on the psychological well-being of co-victims when protocols are not properly followed. Finally, ways to improve police services to co-victims when handling homicide investigations in light of current provisions are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This preliminary study focuses on the graduates of early childhood care and education (ECCE) programmes and their later behaviour in primary schools in the Caribbean state of Trinidad and Tobago. Specific attention is made regarding students’ involvement in bullying, victimization and delinquency. Three comparative groups were used: students who attended Servol ECCEs (S), students who attended Other ECCEs (O) and students who did not attend any ECCEs (N). (Servol is a non-governmental organization which deliberately accepts/services children and communities from poor depressed areas). Conducted in March 2006, a total sample of 589 Standard 3 primary school students was obtained. Adopting a social psychological approach, five independent measures were applied in this study: (i) school readiness and comfort (measured by an 11-item School Readiness and Comfort Scale), (ii) Academic Performance, (iii) Occupational Aspirations, (iv) fear of victimization and bullying (measured by a 3-item Fear of Victimization and Bullying Scale), and, (v) Social Psychological Profile (measured by a 4-item Self Perception/Assessment Scale, a 5-item Civic Attitudes Scale and a 3-item Locus of Control Scale). The dependent measure was students’ involvement in violence and delinquency (measured by a 12-item Violence and Delinquency Scale) and classroom disruption. Apart from the cross-tabulations used, generally, we found more similarities than differences between students who attended Servol (S) and those who attended Other (O) ECCE programmes. In view of their tender age, however, there are worrying trends observed overall with regard to students’ involvement in several acts of violence and delinquency, particularly with regard to drug/substance abuse (that is, illegal drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol) and violence/aggressive behaviour. These trends will be discussed and recommendations for intervention strategies highlighted.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: While results from prior studies have shown that several characteristics of homicide incidents involving females differ systematically from those not involving females, only a limited number of studies have examined this issue closely. Even fewer have extended such research to non-western cultures. In this study we utilized binary logistic regression and unique homicide narratives drawn from Russian court and police records to compare homicide victim, offender, and event characteristics by sex of victim and offender. Homicides in which a female was the victim or offender were more likely to occur between intimates and in the home, whereas homicides involving males were more likely to occur in a public place, to be alcohol-related, to involve a firearm, and to involve a victim and offender who did not know each other well. We also found that femicides were more likely to occur in the context of rape and to be carried out in order to hide another crime, while male-victim homicides were more likely to involve strangers and be victim-precipitated. Our results not only present an important first glimpse at women as homicide victims and offenders in Russia specifically, but also provide a point of comparison with findings from similar analyses undertaken in the west.