Victimology. Reporting, suffering and victim profiles

Seminar paper from the year 2014 in the subject Psychology - Social Psychology, , language: English, abstract: As noted by Karmen (2013), media coverage has given victims with firsthand experiences a public platform to campaign for wider societal reforms. The Curleys was given national attention to their pain when their 10-year-old son, Jeffrey Curley, was murdered. However, media are in a profit-oriented business. While the media's coverage brought national attention to the horrific crime, at the same time the media benefited from the coverage as well. The media needs advertisers and readers. Jeffrey's murder provided just that. 'Shocking stories attract readers, listeners, and viewers,' Karmen noted (p. 43). 'Blaring headlines, gripping accounts, colorful phrases, memorable quotes, and other forms of media hype build the huge audiences that enable media enterprises to charge advertisers high rates.' Karmen went on to note that producers, editors, and reporters who seek to play up the human-interest angle may exploit the plight of persons who have suffered devastating wounds and losses, having found that crime stories attract a lot more notice if they are spiced up with a heavy dose of sex, gore, and raw emotions. As noted by Macquarrie (2009), the phone constantly rang. 'Reporters from all of the Boston media outlets asked for interviews,' noted Macquarrie (p. 62) of the book entitled 'The Ride.' The Curley's ordeal fits this mode. The media gathered outside the Curley's house when news broke about Jeffrey's disappearance. According to Macquarrie (p. 62), 'The news media's interest grew exponentially. Dozens of reporters had begun gathering outside the house by midafternoon, local television trucks had secured the few remaining parking spaces near the home. Microphones and notebooks seemed to be everywhere, and Jeffrey Curley's name, as well as his Little League pictures, began appearing regularly on TV throughout Greater Boston.'

My name is Louis Howell Jr., Ph.D. I'm a native of Newark, New Jersey currently residing in Orangeburg, South Carolina. I am a graduate of Claflin University where I majored in Sociology/Criminal Justice (Undergrad). I received my master's degree, in Criminal Justice from Boston University, also earning my Ph.D. in Business Administration with a Specialization in Criminal Justice, at Northcentral University. My Dissertation Topic: Law Enforcement Officers Perceptions of the Influence of Reverse Bias on Their Behavior and Use of Force. I'm a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society for Social Sciences, The National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society in Leadership and the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. I'm also the Charter advisor for Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society and Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society at Voorhees University. Fifteen years of experience managing individuals coupled with eight years of law enforcement, has afforded me the opportunity to work with a plethora of personalities. Given the responsibility to supervise persons with diverse backgrounds and vast culture differences required devotion, time and determination to foster a healthy environment of solidarity. Also, I'm a Life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated also the advisor of the fraternity at Voorhees University. I'm a Assistant Professor and Academic Program Coordinator of Criminal Justice/Pre Law Advisor at Voorhees University. I also sit on the Judicial Committee, the Grievance Committee and the Academic Council at Voorhees University. Currently I was attending Concord Law School at Purdue University Global but due to Covid im sitting out.