Exploring the effects of long-term anti-social behaviour victimisation

Despite victimological interest in the impacts of different types of criminal victimisation, there is little empirical work that examines the effects of sub-criminal behaviour on victims. This article begins to redress the balance by reporting the findings from a qualitative research project that investigated the effects of long-term anti-social behaviour (ASB) victimisation. Semi-structured interviews explored victims’ accounts of the long-term ASB they experienced and the resultant effects it had on their lives. The research uncovered that victims experience a range of mental and physical health effects as well as behavioural changes and has provided the first in-depth insight into the impact of this type of victimisation. The findings suggest that the cumulative harms associated with ASB need to be better acknowledged, understood, and addressed, with greater support made available to victims.