Victim Module Group Tools and Handouts

GROUP TOOLS
Victim Awareness Group Description T-1
Crime Creed T-2
Serenity Prayer T-3
Owning Your Program T-4
Code of Conduct T-5

GROUP HANDOUTS
Ripple Effect H-1
Ripple Effect Practice Chart H-2
Deterrent Thinking Patterns H-3
Victim Script Directions H-4
Victim Script Poster H-5
Tactics to Avoid Accountability H-6
Deterrent Details Assignment (part 1) H-7
Deterrent Details Assignment (part 2) H-8
Victim Role Play Assignment H-9

Victim Awareness Group Description

The basic tool we use in this group is the Ripple Effect Chart. We learn, discuss and recognize the harm we have caused others. We build self-disgust to facilitate change and earn respect from others and for ourselves. Within the context of group is the feedback and sharing of Ripple Effect Charts, Criminal Inventories and Victim Scripts.

T-1

Crime Creed

Crime

Crime Hurts People.

I've Committed Crimes to Hurt People.

I Will Not Hurt Others or Myself Again.

T-2

Serenity Prayer

God Grant me the Serenity

to Accept the Things

I Cannot Change,

the Courage to Change

the Things I can,

and the Wisdom

to Know the Difference.

T-3

Owning Your Program

1. I will take a stand for what is right.

2. I will accept the rights of others and realize the effect of my past violence.

3. I will have and use my plan for changing me not changing you.

4. I will strive to not manipulate, control, or intimidate.

5. I will not tolerate any games within myself. I will make choices for me, not others.

6. I will respect you by not tolerating your games.

7. I will help make interactions constructive. I am here to work.

8. I will hold you accountable in treatment because I'll walk the talk with you.

9. I will change me from the inside out.

10. I will not keep secrets.

T-4

Group Code of Conduct

1. Honesty

2. Respect Others

3. No Physical or Verbal Threats of Violence

4. Respect Others

5. Participation is a Must

6. No Rescuing

7. No Cross Talking

8. No Excessive Foul Language

9. No Food or Drink

10. Come Prepared

T-5

The Ripple Effect

H-1

The Ripple Effect

Practice Chart

H-2

Deterrent Thinking Patterns

Deterrent 1 -- Stop -- Think Of The Immediate Consequences

Before you act, think about the immediate consequences.

Ask, “What gets me into trouble?”

Think, “Smoking a joint equals prison.”

Remember if anything can go wrong, it will.

Deterrent 2 -- Stop And Think About Who Gets Hurt -- Reasoning Process

Think about all the problems that similar actions have caused yourself and others in the past.

Use the bad feelings to change yourself.

Think about the whole picture or ripple effect.

Deterrent 3 -- Plan Ahead, Think Ahead, Make Another Choice

Use this when you are reminded of exciting past actions and you might want more. Consider this poison.

Try to predict with who, where, and under what circumstances you might get into trouble. List ahead of time your past thoughts and actions that equal poison.

Avoid these people and places, and make another choice.

Deterrent 4 -- Examination Of Conscience -- Moral Inventory Daily

Think, not about the crime itself but that it is wrong.

Think about the injury you have inflicted upon others.

Examine your conscience immediately as you think about irresponsible, criminal conduct.

This is a preventive tool.

Deterrent 5 -- Do Not Dwell On It

Use responsible thinking patterns to replace the old patterns.

Do this in advance and practice it.

Irresponsible thoughts are dismissed fast.

H-3

Victim Script Directions

1. Make a list of all the individuals or groups of people you have victimized.

2. On regular paper describe how each of them were or may have been affected. (one sheet for each victim:)

a. psychologically

b. emotionally

c. physically

d. financially

4. Discuss the Victim Script with your primary counselor before writing the list on large poster paper in marker.

5. Set a date to present the Victim Script during group. Ask the group facilitator for a presentation time at least one day before the group meets.

Possible follow up questions:

1. Have you made amends to the people you have victimized who are close to you? Make a plan to make amends.

2. What can you do to prevent further victimization?

3. What are the patterns in your victimizing?

4. How does it make you feel knowing that you have victimized so many people? What can you do to sustain these feelings of disgust?

What have you learned from doing this victim script? How will it help you from creating new victims?

H-4

Victim Script Poster

Names	Psychological	Emotional	Physical	Financial

H-5

Tactics to Avoid Accountability

You will continually point out staff inadequacies.

Building yourself up by putting others down.

Telling others what they want to hear and not what is truth.

Lying -- by omission, by distorting the truth and by disclosing only what benefits him/her.

Vagueness. "Someone," "I will think about it", "Maybe", "If I feel like it."

Diverts attention away from self. Introduces irrelevant material. Invokes racial issues.

Attempting to confuse others.

Minimizes the situation. "I just got into a little trouble."

Agree or say "yes" without really meaning it.

Silence.

Paying attention only to what suits you.

Make a big scene about a minor point.

Putting off doing something by saying, "I forgot."

Putting others on the defensive. The tactics such as degrading, quibbling over words, trying to embarrass, using anger as a weapon.

Total inattention.

Accusing others of misunderstanding.

Claiming that you have changed because you did it right once.

H-6

Deterrent Details Assignment (Part 1)

Write two examples of how you have used (or failed to use) each deterrent in you life.

A. Deterrent 1-Stop and Think of the Immediate Consequences.

1.

2.

B. Deterrent 2-Stop and Think of Who Gets Hurt.

1.

2.

C. Deterrent 3-Plan Ahead, Think Ahead, Make Another Choice.

1.

2.

D. Deterrent 4-Examine Your Conscience.

1.

2.

E. Deterrent 5-Do Not Dwell On Negative Choices

1.

2.

H-7

Deterrent Details Assignment (Part 2)

Write 200 words (minimum) on how using deterrents will help prevent further victimization in your life.

H-8

Victim Role Play Assignment

1. How does empathizing with your victims help prevent you from victimizing others?

2. List five things that prevent you from identifying with your victims.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

3. Create a plan to begin eliminating these five areas.

H-9

Victim Awareness Group Tools and Handouts Prepared by: Brian J. Loebig

Victim Awareness Group Tools and Handouts
Prepared by: Brian J. Loebig