HAPPINESS AND CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION

Transcription

1 HAPPINESS AND CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION A Study Of Relationship and Restoration by Prof. G S Bajpai National Law University Delhi, India.

2 PRELIMINARY REMARKS Relationship between happiness and victimization has barely been explored under the discipline of criminology - Silvia Staubli (2014). The aim of the present study: - To examine the nature of relationship between criminal victimization and level of happiness by taking in consideration two set of variables.

3 HAPPINESS AS A MEASURE OF LIFE SATISFACTION The research on happiness as a measurement of quality of life gained momentum, after Bhutan considered it a more impactful factor than GDP for such assessments. No study has conclusively been able to arrive at quantitative method of measuring happiness. focus on subjective well-being such that the level of happiness or well-being is reported through other social or economic factors such as income, life expectancy etc. Easterlin (197 4), however, found in his study that in spite of considerable increase in GDP, the level of happiness remained stationary. Frey and Stutzer (2002) made a similar observation in United States, Belgium and Japan. Thus, in last few decades, studies have expanded their focus on non-economic variables as well, to measure happiness level or subjective well-being of individuals including criminal victimization and fear of crime.

4 RELATIONSHIPS Criminal victimization and the fear of crime- One of the most significant factors influencing the quality of life and happiness level across all levels of the society. (individual, community and national level) -Controlled variables: Happiness Measurement Index (on which Happiness Reports from 2013 to 2018 are based): This includes six key (controlled) variables- GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy at work, freedom to make choices, generosity, perception of corruption and life evaluation.

5 -The second set includes four independent variables: -total number of crimes reported, ( denoting victimization) -physical and violent crimes, -crimes against property and -sexual offences. On the basis of above variables: Dependent variable were measured- in terms of the level of happiness and life satisfaction.

6 LITERATURE REVIEW Crime /victimization - a major factor affecting happiness of citizens Includes pecuniary costs (borne by direct victims of crime) Non-pecuniary costs (which last longer than the former) Non-pecuniary costs can range from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic disorders affecting victims and other people. Vesna Nikolic-Ristanovic (2014), while studying the link between criminal victimization and level of happiness and satisfaction in life, suggested -happy people are less likely to commit crime and -happy people are less likely to be victimized

7 Moore (2006) : Reduction of fear of crime is as important as reduction of crime itself He concluded by establishing a negative relationship between fear of crime and happiness. A study by Z. Cheng (2015) observed that having an acquaintance who is victim of a crime can result in heightening one s own fear of crime. Another study by Stephane (2015) pointed out that effect of physical violence was worse than property crimes, when subjective well-being was considered. Michlos & Zumbo (2000) strongly argued that handful of studies have revealed lack of any relation between crime related variable and happiness. However, majority of researches have established a negative relation between the two including studies from China (Zhiming Cheng & Russell Smyth), South Africa (Powdthavee), Germany (Christian K. & Marie L.P.), Switzerland (Staubli S.), other parts of Europe (Hanslmaier M. and Simon Moore).

8 Christian Krekel and Marie L. Poprawe : Their study investigates the effect of local crime on mental well-being in Germany. Victimization affects narrower domains of life satisfaction, such as individuals worries about crime in Germany, and the frequency of being worried.

9 The Impact of Crime Victimization on Quality of Life by Rochelle F. Hanson Crime victimization can impact an individual s ability to perform across a variety of roles, including those related to parenting, intimate relationships, and occupational and social functioning.

10 HYPOTHESES The present study examines the relationship between criminal victimization, fear of crime in 6 different nations and happiness level in these nations using World Happiness Reports. Three hypothesis are tested: H.1 The impact of criminal victimization on happiness is negative. Individuals living in nations with high crime rate are less happy and satisfied than individuals living in nations with comparatively lower crime rate. H.2 Economic factors are less likely to affect happiness level of a nation in comparison to sociodemographic factors such as crime rate, criminal victimization and fear of crime. H.3 Negative relation between criminal victimization and happiness level of a nation varies with nature of crime committed.

11 LIMITATIONS AND SCOPE OF STUDY Mostof the researches are either based upon the official crime related statistical data or sample survey. (Official data of crime is highly under reported as well under recorded) Geographical limitation (due to restriction of study to six nations i.e. two nations with high level of happiness score (Finland & Denmark), two with moderate score (Philippines & South Africa) and two with lowest happiness score (India & Sri Lanka) Nations chosen as sample are selected on the basis of available official statistical information pertaining to criminal victimization instead of solely referring to happiness score of nations

12 The present study considers two sets of data: METHODS APPLIED Data pertaining to Happiness Measurement Index as per World Happiness Report World Happiness Reports are published by United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network every year. Data pertaining to criminal victimization involving four sets of variables namely, -total number of crimes -violent crimes, -sexual offences and -crime against property This data is obtained from crime statistics available on official websites of respective nations. (Finland, Denmark, Philippines, South Africa, India and Sri Lanka)

13 DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF DATA Finland: Happiness score of the Finland shows an upward slope representing increase in happiness level during Crime rate figures indicates an overall decline in total number of crimes during the (Crime Data Statistics are not available for the year 2017). While violent crimes increased in the year 2015 and sexual offences increased in the year 2016, there was a decrease in overall number of these crimes in contrast to crimes reported in the base year Thus, a negative correlation between criminal victimization and level of happiness can be concluded

14 Denmark: Happiness score of Denmark has observed a decline over a period of five years from 2013 ending till Crime statistics during same period reflects an increase in violent crimes and sexual offences whereas, crime against property and total number of crimes. Criminal victimization is negatively related to happiness level in Denmark only with respect to violent crime and sexual offences and not for property related crimes

15 Philippines: Happiness level in Philippines has followed an upward trend, with increase observed in Crime statistics in Philippines during (Crime statistics during 2013 and 2017 is not available) show an overall decline in total number of crimes, violent crimes, sexual offences as well as crime against property.though total number of sexual offences increased during , the effect can be considered to get marginalized by overall reduction in total number of crimes during same period. Thus, a negative correlation between criminal victimization and level of happiness can be concluded

16 South Africa: It has faced an overall reduction in happiness score during the period Figures reflect an overall increase in number of crime during However, violent crimes, sexual offences and crime against property show a decline during Thus, it can be validly stated that there are categories of crime other than violent crimes, sexual offences and crime against property that might be a contributory factor for overall reduction of happiness level in the country

17 India: Happiness Measurement Index of India has been consistently falling since There has been an overall increase in total number of crime, violent crimes, sexual offences and crime related to property during Thus, criminal victimization is negatively related to happiness level in India with respect to all variables of crime namely total number or crimes, violent crimes, sexual offences as well as crime against property

18 Sri Lanka: The happiness score over the time period of 2013 to 2017 shows a continuous increase reflecting improvement in these five years. Crime statistics during same tenure shows continuous decrease in all variables of crime i.e., violent crimes, sexual offences and crime against property. Downward shift in criminal victimization in Sri Lanka resulting into upward shift in happiness score level meaning thereby criminal victimization and happiness score of Sri Lanka share a negative correlation with each other

19 HAPPINESS SCORE VS. GDP Finland GDP Philippines GDP India GDP Denmark South Africa Sri Lanka GDP GDP GDP

20 CONCLUSION There are three major findings: 1. The analysis of crime statistics of all 6 nations underlines a negative impact of crimes on happiness. At least one of the four variables (crime related variables) shares an inverse relation with the happiness score. Thus, it can be concluded that the level of happiness of individuals living in states with low crime rate, is higher than of the ones living in state with high crime rate. Hence, the first hypothesis (H.1) stand approved. 2. It is also observed that the level of happiness is greatly influenced by other socio-demographic factors other than the ones considered in the World Happiness Reports, such as health, education, crime rate criminal victimization etc. This argument is strengthened by the observation that there is a lack of a constant relation between GDP and happiness score of nations. Even though economic growth can help in reducing the crime rates, a number a additional factors need to be researched upon as well to understand how poor economic activity leads to increase in crime rates. Thus hypotheses (H.2) stand approved.

21 3. Lastly, it is possible that the level of happiness may have varied due to the variety of the crimes. For example, in a certain nation crimes such as intentional homicide, violent criminal assault or sexual crimes may be the reason behind the dip in the level of happiness, while in another nation level of happiness might be lower due to crimes such as crimes against property, gun crimes, substance abuse etc. The present study has not been able to reach at any conclusion regarding the link between nature of crime and the negative correlation between level of happiness and criminal victimization. Thus, the third hypothesis (H.3) stands disapproved.