What do victims of violent crime need: a comparison of victims' and counsellors' Q sorts

Victimization is a reality that will touch each person's life at some point and time. Whether it is experienced by oneself, one's friend, or a family member, its aftermath will have an impact that does not compare to any other life experience. The formerly anonymous experience of victimization will create needs that are aberrant, but seemingly necessary for coping and recovery. The task of gaining awareness and understanding of the impact of victimization and the needs that emanate from this experience are challenging. The purpose of this research was twofold. The first purpose was to investigate the needs of victims of violent crime. The second was to compare victims' perspectives of their needs with counsellors' perspectives of victims' needs. A Q methodology research design was used in this research because it incorporates both qualitative and quantitative procedures. Data were collected qualitatively by requesting participants to rank-order statements regarding victims' needs into a forced distribution. This distribution reflected participants' measure of agreement with each statement and it provided a portrait of their subjective opinions regarding victims' needs. The quantitative component of Q methodology necessitated factor analysis of the data to establish the presence of factors. Q methodology enabled victims and counsellors to reflect upon and describe their individual perspectives of victims' needs. The comparative nature of this study necessitated contrasting the factors that emerged from the two groups. The victim-participants identified needs that included (1) victim control of their victimization, (2) victim's rights, and (3) retribution. The counsellor-participants perceived victims' needs as (1) recognition of victimization and (2) victim control of their victimization. The degree of dissimilarity between individual group factors was indicative of different perspectives of victims' needs. These different perspectives impact the way in which counsellors and counselling practice assist victims of violent crime. The results are discussed with the intention of educating people and fostering change.