Benjamin RoebuckAlgonquin College · Victimology Research Centre
Benjamin Roebuck
PhD in Criminology
About
42
Publications
22,756
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61
Citations
Introduction
Research Chair & Professor of Victimology at Algonquin College. Principal Investigator for SSHRC-funded study on vicarious resilience and victim services. Co-Author of Staying Alive While Living the Life: Adversity, Strength, and Resilience in the Lives of Homeless Youth (2018) Fernwood Publishing.
Additional affiliations
September 2008 - April 2012
Position
- Part-time Professor
Description
- Courses: Individual Intervention in Criminology; Victim Assistance Services; Youth & Justice; Special Topics: Criminology & Social Action; and, Field Placement Seminar in Criminology.
July 2007 - May 2012
September 2012 - present
Position
- Professor of Victimology & Police Foundations
Description
- Courses: Victimology; Criminology; Youth in Conflict with the Law; Victimology: Theoretical Perspectives; Victims of Crime; Men as Victims; Compassion Fatigue, Self-Care, & Professional Practice; Victimology: Assessment & Intervention; and, Practicum.
Education
September 2007 - February 2014
Publications
Publications (42)
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which Canadian victims and survivors of violent crime describe and make sense of their posttraumatic experience(s).
Method:
This qualitative study drew on open-ended responses from a mixed methods online survey with Canadian victims and survivors of violent crime (N = 435). Particip...
The purpose of this article is to better understand the experiences of victim service providers (VSPs) and their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on a preliminary analysis of 502 survey responses from a larger Canadian study on VSPs and vicarious resilience, we explore themes related to workload, stress, working from home, and confl...
Purpose: Research on intimate partner violence (IPV) is generally focused on female survivors. However, in Canada, about half of all self-reported victims of IPV are men and 1 in 5 calls to police for domestic violence are for male victims. This paper takes a comparative approach to understanding survivors’ experiences of IPV.
Methods:
Across Cana...
Few national studies examine victim service providers (VSPs), the important work that they do, and the resources and strategies contributing to their wellness at work. The proposed study aims to investigate the vicarious resilience of those working within the Canadian victim services sector. Participants will be asked about the ways in which they h...
Studies show that self-care practices can mitigate the negative effects of trauma associated with victim service work. Despite this, many victim advocates do not participate in regular self-care activities. Data from the national study Victim Services and Vicarious Resilience, which comprised 915 survey participants, 24 qualitative interviews, and...
This study examined the impact of organizational structure on worker well-being in victim services in Canada. With data collected from 915 survey respondents, 24 semi-structured interviews, and 19 focus group participants, we found that although there are many aspects that negatively affect worker well-being (e.g. lack of funding, inadequate compen...
In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began in Canada, public health and medical authorities quickly identified emergency shelters and people experiencing homelessness as particularly at risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 (Knight et al., 2021). Drawing on interviews with 28 service providers in organizations that primarily serve people...
COVID-19 drastically affected people experiencing homelessness in Ottawa as essential services were closed or limited, the cost of living rose, social distancing and isolation were mandated, and public spaces became inaccessible. Researchers from Algonquin College, Carleton University, and the Expert Steering Team at the Alliance to End Homelessnes...
This open-access chapter provides an introduction to victimology and includes the following topics: victim and survivor language, theories of victimization, measuring victimization, victim rights, victim assistance services, and the impact of victimization. It discusses resilience, posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic change, and trauma and violence...
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the homeless serving sector in significant ways, including impacts on service users and service providers. In this qualitative case study from Ottawa, Canada, we conducted 28 semi-structured interviews with service providers and key informants from the homeless serving sector to learn more a...
This conference will bring international scholars from various disciplines, service providers, community leaders, private practitioners, and community members to examine the various perspectives on fatherhood, family dynamics and relationships, men's experiences with violence, and victimization. Discussions will also include legal and community sup...
This online conference explored diverse perspectives on men, masculinities, and victimization, identifying needs that arise for men because of violence as well as helpful interventions. The event was funded by the Department of Justice as part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week and included a panel discussion with professionals who research or...
Background: The early identification of children who have experienced adversity is critical for the timely delivery of interventions to improve coping and reduce negative consequences. Self-report is the usual practice for identifying children with exposure to adversity. However, physiological characteristics that signal the presence of disease or...
What is a Festschrift? I’m glad you asked. In An International Perspective on Contemporary Developments in Victimology: A Festschrift in Honor of Marc Groenhuijsen, editors Janice Joseph
and Stacie Jergenson have collected 22 chapters by 31 authors from 15 countries in honor of Groenhuijsen’s significant contributions to the field. One of the highl...
In January 2020, the City of Ottawa declared a housing and homelessness emergency as chronic homelessness within the city reached an all-time high. The social housing registry had a decade-long waitlist, emergency shelters consistently operated over capacity, and increases in rental prices contributed to an influx of people experiencing homelessnes...
The Victimology Research Centre at Algonquin College made this video as part of a national study on vicarious resilience and services for victims and survivors of crime, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The study is conducted in partnership with the Victim Justice Network, Canadian Resource Centre for Victims o...
Every homicide is a tragedy for a family and our community. This report provides an overview of homicide cases in Ottawa from 2010-2020. It is intended to inform community stakeholders about patterns and evolving trends to assist with planning prevention and meeting the needs of people affected by homicide. The analysis was conducted by reviewing m...
Men in Canada experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in significant numbers, yet little attention has been paid to their needs. In part, this is because more women are harmed by their partners and there is a shortfall of resources to meet their demand for services. This paper was commissioned by the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims o...
Les hommes au Canada sont nombreux à être victimes de violence conjugale (VC), mais on ne porte pas assez attention à leurs besoins, en partie parce qu’un plus grand nombre de victimes de VC sont des femmes et que les ressources sont insuffisantes pour répondre à leur demande de services. Le Bureau de l’ombudsman fédéral des victimes d’actes crimin...
Notre étude à méthodes mixtes a compris 435 réponses à un sondage en ligne ainsi que 71 entrevues de suivi en personne ou par téléphone avec des participants volontaires. Nous avons demandé aux gens de partager avec nous ce qui avait été utile ou inutile à la suite de leur expérience de violence, ainsi que les changements qu’ils avaient vécus dans...
www.algonquincollege.com/aftercandace - Documentary & Discussion Guide: Cliff and Wilma Derksen share their story of resilience and post-traumatic change following the murder of their daughter Candace in 1984. Wilma reflects on complex grief and healing, while Cliff shares the power of art to transform trauma. Full of wisdom, faith, and vibrant cre...
www.algonquincollege.com/aprescandace - Documentaire et guide de discussion : Cliff et Wilma Derksen racontent leur histoire de résilience et de changement post-traumatique à la suite du meurtre de leur fille Candace en 1984. Wilma réfléchit sur le deuil et la guérison complexes, tandis que Cliff parle du pouvoir de l’art de transformer les traumat...
Based on research with victims and survivors from across Canada, this presentation explores how people navigate the aftermath of violence, adapt in adversity, and change through the process.
An overview of key statistics and trends following a review of all Ottawa homicide cases between 2014 - November 22, 2020. The review was conducted by staff and students with the Victimology Research Centre in partnership with the Ottawa Police Service.
Based on survey responses from 435 survivors of violence across Canada and 71 qualitative follow-up interviews, this report presents a summary of results on the health impacts of violence, experiences accessing support, what was helpful or unhelpful following an experience of violence, how participants felt they had changed, and if they identified...
Jennifer Barkley and I recently presented some of our research on Resilience & Violence as part of a Global Classroom in partnership with the Victim Justice Network, Durham College, and Algonquin College. The event was funded by the Department of Justice for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2019. We were joined by our brilliant colleague, Dr. Ja...
In Staying Alive While Living the Life, Sue-Ann MacDonald and Benjamin Roebuck unpack the realities of living on the streets from the perspective of homeless youth. While much is written about at-risk youth, most literature on youth homelessness reduces their lives to flattened images with little room for the diverse, complex and individual nature...
How do people recover from violence? What supports and resources tend to be most meaningful to victims and survivors? This mixed methods study includes 450 online survey responses and 70 qualitative interviews with people from across Canada reflecting on their experiences of violence and what has been helpful as well as unhelpful following victimiz...
This chapter explores the experiences of victims and survivors of violence as the targets of aggression, highlighting their unique experiences navigating the criminal justice system, advocating for recognition, and trying to heal. At the same time, the chapter points out that victims and survivors are strong and capable of personal reflection, chan...
In program adaptation, contextual knowledge about the community, and the experiential knowledge of practitioners and community members, are recognized and mobilized in conjunction with the best available research evidence. Researchers agree that it is imperative to proactively design and develop adaptations while making it happen instead of simply...
En matière d'adaptation de programmes, la connaissance contextuelle de la collectivité, la connaissance expérientielle des praticiens et des membres de la collectivité sont reconnues et mobilisées parallèlement aux meilleures données de recherche disponibles. Les chercheurs s'entendent pour dire qu'il est impératif de concevoir et d'élaborer de man...
Evidence-based programs have been tested using the most rigorous of scientific evaluation designs and methodologies. These programs are effective and have been studied in-depth to reveal the key elements that contribute directly to positive outcomes for their target population. These programs have a very specific set of standards and practices that...
On a mis à l’essai des programmes fondés sur des données probantes en utilisant les méthodes et les modèles d’évaluation scientifique les plus rigoureux. Ces programmes sont efficaces et ont été étudiés en profondeur pour révéler les éléments clés qui contribuent directement à des résultats positifs pour leur population cible. Ils comprennent un en...
This toolkit is a summary of a larger project that consists of a broad literature review reflecting current theory, practice and knowledge on the local adaptation of intervention programs in a variety of disciplines and key effective elements of evidence-based crime prevention programming. This report integrates this information while attempting to...
La présente trousse est le résumé d'un projet d'envergure qui comprend une vaste analyse documentaire reflétant la théorie, la pratique et les connaissances actuelles en matière d'adaptation à l'échelle locale de programmes d'intervention dans diverses disciplines, et les principaux éléments efficaces des programmes de prévention du crime fondés su...
Researchers examined how young people who are homeless conceptualize and interact with challenging
circumstances, adopting a human agency focus rooted in the constructionist model of resilience.
Thirty-five young people who were homeless in Ottawa participated in in-depth interviews and/or focus
groups. Participants reflected upon their strategic d...
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term that refers to brain injury as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure. It includes physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities, with lifelong implications. Health Canada estimates the prevalence of FASD in Canada is 9 in 1,000 births, which is 3,000 babies per year (Brems, Boschm...
Youth justice and youth mental health agencies in Ontario want to provide the same quality of service for Francophone youth as for English-speaking youth. Despite the need for high quality programming, many agencies have struggled to find suitable evidence-based French-language programs and resources. As a result, many rely on spontaneous translati...
Young people who are homeless experience adversity, but many are able to overcome the challenges of street life and transition back into housing. This exploratory, qualitative research draws on the narratives from interviews and focus groups with 35 young people who have experienced homelessness, as well as interviews and focus groups with 30 servi...
This manual operationalizes the strength-based approach for working with youth. It links research with practice to train staff to use a strengths focus in all areas of work as an overarching philosophy of care. This approach is integrated in all programs provided through Youth Now including community programs, child welfare, and corrections. It is...
This report examines how victimization contributes to homelessness and how subsequent victimization may result from living on the streets. It reviews the types of crimes committed by homeless people, and why homeless people are incarcerated. It also identifies factors through which incarceration raises the risk of homelessness for vulnerable popula...
Questions
Question (1)
I am the principal investigator for a SSHRC-funded grant exploring resilience with victims of violence. We are exploring the experiences of victims of violence generally and also focusing on family survivors of homicide victims, physical and sexual violence against women, and men's experiences of victimization (as they intersect with masculinities). The research will have practical implications for enhancing training in victim services. I am looking to connect with other researchers exploring resilience in the field of victimology.
