The Survivor Network: The Role of Shared Experiences in Mass Shootings Recovery

ABSTRACT

Social support from others with shared experiences can be an invaluable resource for individuals impacted by traumatic events, like school and mass shootings. While a growing body of literature explores the psychological impacts of these events on those who survive them, these studies predominantly focus on shootings at two universities, do not assess the effects beyond three years post-shooting, and rely almost exclusively on quantitative methodologies. To extend this body of literature, the present study relies on in-depth interviews with 16 survivors of the April 20, 1999 shooting at Columbine High School to explore the way in which they viewed various forms of social support during their trauma recovery process in both the short- and long-term. The findings indicate that the most effective support came from “similar others,” or those who had experienced the shooting in an analogous manner. Social support from the outside, even when well-intended, was viewed as unhelpful, while mixed perspectives were found related to community-level support. Based on these findings, broader consideration is given to the benefits of informal survivor networks.     

澳大利亚关于性骚扰的立法发展及法律原理

澳大利亚关于性骚扰的立法发展历程为:20世纪70年代性骚扰的提法在澳大利亚出现,但法律未明确规定;1984年奥可拉汉(O'callaghan)诉罗德(Loder)案的判决是法律对性骚扰的首次界定;1984年澳大利亚制定<性别歧视法>专章规定性骚扰,1992年该法经过修正.本文亦对性骚扰的概念、性质及表现、责任人和赔偿等的法律原理进行了探讨.     

Murder in the Family: The Menendez Brothers

Childhood sexual abuse is currently a problem of considerable concern. Research suggests victims experience both short-term and long-term effects due to the unresolved trauma of sexual abuse. Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted of first-degree murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. During the trial the defense presented an argument of alleged sexual abuse, stating that the brothers committed the murders in fear for their lives. The aim of this paper is to explore the Menendez trial in detail from sides of the defense and prosecution, and review the pertinent literature concerning the effects of childhood sexual abuse as they apply to the case. The matter of whether or not the abuse did in fact occur remains in question. The ethical issues of sexual abuse are examined where one must decide whether Erik and Lyle Menendez are responsible for their actions if the sexual abuse did occur.     

10例青光眼法医临床学鉴定分析

目的探讨青光眼的形成机制、鉴别诊断、鉴定方法等相关问题。方法对10例青光眼的临床法医学鉴定例资料进行回顾性研究。结果10例青光眼中,5例为外伤性青光眼,1例可能为混合型,4例属病理性青光眼;鉴定时间在伤后3-12个月,其中轻微伤2例,轻伤6例,重伤2例。结论外伤性继发性青光眼的认定首先需有明确的眼部外伤史,其次是有能导致青光眼的损伤,而后监测眼压确诊青光眼;与病理性青光眼主要鉴别点为前房深浅、前房角、杯/盘比(C/D)、眼底血管改变等;损伤程度应在明确诊断及进行相关治疗后,主要依据视力及视野损害情况确定。     

加拿大侵权法中的转承责任

加拿大侵权法中,转承责任不是一种独立的责任形式,但却采用严格责任归责,被告与侵权行为人之间必要关系的建立是转承责任的前提。这与英美法和法国法的规定相似,与德国法、日本法和我国台湾地区的规定不同。加拿大侵权法中关于雇主和雇员、本人和代理人等有关转承责任的规定,为我国转承责任归责原则的确立提供了有益的借鉴。     

高压氧配合针推治疗重型颅脑外伤后66例

目的:研究高压氧加针灸推拿治疗对重型颅脑外伤恢复的作用。方法:153例重型颅脑损伤后患者分为3组,分别行单纯药物治疗(Ⅰ组)、常规药物 高压氧治疗(Ⅱ组)及常规药物 高压氧 针灸推拿治疗(Ⅲ组)。其中Ⅰ组42例,Ⅱ组45例,Ⅲ组66例。入院时与治疗后进行GCS评分及治疗后GOS评定,比较疗效的变化。结果:Ⅲ组治疗后GCS与治疗前比较及治疗后GOS评定有明显改善(P<0.05)。结论:高压氧配合针灸推拿治疗能显著提高重型颅脑外伤后患者的治疗效果。     

Microscopic Pattern of Bone Fractures as an Indicator of Blast Trauma: A Pilot Study

The assessment of fractures is a key issue in forensic anthropology; however, very few studies deal with the features of fractures due to explosion in comparison with other traumatic injuries. This study focuses on fractures resulting from blast trauma and two types of blunt force trauma (manual compression and running over), applied to corpses of pigs; 163 osteons were examined within forty fractures by the transmission light microscopy. Blast lesions showed a higher percentage of fracture lines through the Haversian canal, whereas in other types of trauma, the fractures went across the inner lamellae. Significant differences between samples hit by blast energy and those runover or manually compressed were observed (p < 0.05). The frequency of pattern A is significantly higher in exploded bones than in runover and compressed. Microscopic analysis of the fracture line may provide information about the type of trauma, especially for what concerns blast trauma.     

A Pilot Study Examining the Reduction of Trauma Symptomatology in Families to Prevent Child Abuse And Neglect: Trauma Adapted Family Connections

This article presents the preliminary outcomes of a 6-month, in-home trauma-adapted neglect prevention program intended to reduce trauma-related risk factors in families and increase caregiver, child, and family well-being. Standardized measures were administered via a computer assisted self-interview (CASI) at intake and case closure. At the time of the analyses 72 caregivers and 105 children completed both an intake and closing CASI. Significant differences were found over time in the reduction of caregiver and child related post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptomatology. Outcomes in overall caregiver, child, and family well-being and safety significantly improved over time. Evidence suggests that trauma adaptation of the empirically supported neglect prevention program shows great promise in filling a service gap and in helping families who are chronically traumatized and struggling to meet their children's basic needs.     

“A lot of people go insane behind that”: coping with the trauma of being wrongfully convicted

Research has demonstrated that individuals may use different means to cope with traumatic life experiences. Using data collected during in-depth interviews with exonerees, this qualitative study explores the ways in which individuals that have been wrongfully convicted cope with that traumatic experience. The findings demonstrate that exonerees use both positive and negative coping techniques. Prayer and faith appear to be the most important coping mechanism used by this sample of exonerees. Additional coping mechanisms include meeting with other exonerees to discuss their experience, helping other exonerees, reflecting on their personal experience, and withdrawing from others. Policy implications are also discussed.     

Can computed tomography replace or supplement autopsy?

Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has been integrated into the practice of many forensic pathologists. To evaluate the utility of PMCT in supplementing and/or supplanting medicolegal autopsy, we conducted a prospective double-blind comparison of abnormal findings reported by the autopsy pathologist with those reported by a radiologist reviewing the PMCT. We reviewed 890 cases: 167 with blunt force injury (BFI), 63 with pediatric trauma (under 5 years), 203 firearm injuries, and 457 drug poisoning deaths. Autopsy and radiology reports were coded using the Abbreviated Injury Scale and abnormal findings and cause of death (COD) were compared for congruence in consensus conferences with novel pathologists and radiologists. Overall sensitivity for recognizing abnormal findings was 71% for PMCT and 74.6% for autopsy. Sensitivities for PMCT/autopsy were 74%/73.1% for BFI, 61.5%/71.4% for pediatric trauma, 84.9%/83.7% for firearm injuries, and 56.5%/66.4% for drug poisoning deaths. COD assigned by reviewing PMCT/autopsy was correct in 88%/95.8% of BFI cases, 99%/99.5% of firearm fatalities, 82.5%/98.5% of pediatric trauma deaths, and 84%/100% of drug poisoning deaths of individuals younger than 50. Both autopsy and PMCT were imperfect in recognizing injuries. However, both methods identified the most important findings and are sufficient to establish COD in cases of BFI, pediatric trauma, firearm injuries and drug poisoning in individuals younger than 50. Ideally, all forensic pathologists would have access to a CT scanner and a consulting radiologist. This would allow a flexible approach that meets the diagnostic needs of each case and best serves decedents' families and other stakeholders.