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Citation |
James C. Acta Criminol. 2017; 30(2): 147-161. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2017, Criminological Society of South Africa) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Carjacking remains rampant in South Africa. In 2016/2017 alone, there were 17 900 incidents of motor vehicle hijacking reported to the South African Police Service of which 16 717 were carjackings. Prior research has analysed the nature of this pervasive crime and those who commit it. However, few have studied those who suffer its consequences: the victims. The present study fills this lacuna in the literature by collecting up-to-date information on the psychological reactions of carjacking victims, and their resulting behavioural changes. Through a snowball sampling method, 280 victims of carjackings completed a questionnaire about their experiences of being victimized through this criminal act. The results show that carjacking is commonly violent. Most victims were threatened with a life-endangering weapon. 81 percent of the victims who suffered an injury as a result of physical violence required medical treatment at a hospital. Victims were likely to suffer strong emotional reactions and experience particularly high levels of stress afterwards. Victims also reported taking precautions in order to avoid re-victimisation. Yet, these precautions appear to limit their daily activities while doing little to reduce the fear of being carjacked again. This study makes an important contribution to the field by investigating the human consequences of carjacking. It has also demonstrated that one can complete direct research with victims, despite impediments to doing so that may limit or deter researchers. Language: en |