Abstract
This edited collection is based on research conducted in both Northern Ireland and Spain, offering real insight into the comparative study of victims of terrorism. The volume brings together the work of scholars largely associated with the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews, as well as contributors from Rey Juan Carlos University in Spain.
The book first tackles the challenges of defining both victims and terrorism, with the comparative aspect providing insight into the complexity of this task when it occurs in a politically heated context. The divergent perspectives of Northern Ireland and Spain demonstrate that victims of terrorism (and, likely, victims more generally) are a heterogeneous group with massively complex needs. Alonso and Serrano’s chapter ‘The needs of victims of terrorism in Spain’ provides a very clear discussion of the distinction between ‘regular’ victims of crime and victims of terrorism, where the latter must cope additionally with the very public nature of their victimisation as well as with any political ramifications. This may, however, have been more useful to readers had it occurred earlier in the book. Victim hierarchies and issues of deservingness and exclusion are also covered by comparisons of victims of the Northern Irish Troubles and ETA with much more readily recognised victims of Islamic extremism, as in Madrid and London.
Moreover, the nature of justice in the context of terrorism and the very different conceptualisations of it in Spain and Northern Ireland are addressed. For example, Northern Ireland has taken a restorative approach, compared to Spain’s more traditional penal approach. The interdisciplinary nature of the book is apparent as the authors describe terrorism as a serious violation of human rights as well as an international crime, therefore suggesting that acts of terrorism should fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
Noteworthy input includes Lawther’s discussion around victim status, labelling, hierarchy and identity. Given the contexts of separatist Spain and Northern Ireland, where the distinction between victim and perpetrator has become mired in the bi-partisan politics of the conflict, acquiring victim status, if it is in fact wanted, is certainly not straightforward. Lawther brings the discussion to life not only through examples of the NI conflict, but also with references to South America and South Africa. Included are interesting points regarding possible negative consequences of actions typically considered beneficial to healing or recovery from victimisation. For example, truth, rather than acting solely as a precursor to healing, may actually be harmful in some instances. The example given is that of Mozambique, where retelling the past may threaten to destabilise social and political relationships, and survivors may wish not to ‘poison younger generations with the hostilities of the past’ (p. 40).
Joyce and Lynch present a thought-provoking analysis of differences in how victims and service providers describe psychological needs, with non-victims much more likely to pathologise emotional reactions. For example, these needs are construed as a problem (‘drink problem’, ‘trauma’) and normal and arguably healthy emotions such as anger and hatred are considered a burden for victims; a ‘toxic emotion that needs to be addressed’ (p. 73). In collaboration with claims that victims, i. e. ‘traumatised’ individuals, should not be allowed to support or provide services to other victims, their discussion raises many concerns as to the support, or lack thereof, with which victims of terrorism are being provided. This misconception is further countered with examples of healing and post-traumatic growth, including the route to victim advocacy. These pathways are often victim-initiated, the motivation being to save others from a similar fate to that suffered by the victim. A moving example of this is given where victims of the 7/7 attacks in London reached out after the 2011 mass shootings in Norway.
The final chapter outlines an extensive and well thought out list of recommendations for best practice in supporting victims of terrorism. These include compensation and financial support, medical and psychological assistance as well as judicial, social and educational and political steps. Many of these can, and arguably should, be implemented for victims of crime more generally. For instance, there needs to be ‘[recognition] that individual victims are primarily victims of trauma and need to be initially treated as such and [recognition of] the life long and irreversible changes that occur as a result of victimisation (by terrorism)’ (p. 149). Lacking, however, is any discussion of the challenges inherent in making such policy reality – though this could no doubt be the topic of an entire further volume.
Overall the book is an accessible and engaging read, highlighting issues relevant to those with interests not just in terrorism but in victimology more generally.