Adzimah-Alade, M, Akotia, CS, Annor, F et al. (1 more author) (2020) Vigilantism in Ghana: Trends, Victim Characteristics, and Reported Reasons. Howard Journal of Crime and Justice, 59 (2). pp. 194-213. ISSN 2059-1101
Abstract
Vigilantism is gaining popularity in Africa as a means of self‐defence, enacting justice, policing morality, and sanctioning (perceived) wrongdoings. Drawing on content analysis of 172 media reports from 2001 to 2018, this study examined the trends and patterns of vigilantism, characteristics of victims, and reported reasons for recourse to vigilantism within the Ghanaian context. Results showed a considerable increase in reported cases of vigilantism within the 18‐year period, with most of the cases reported in urban settings. Theft and robbery emerged as the most frequently suspected crimes for which victims were attacked and, in many cases, killed. The study underscores the implications of vigilantism in terms of disdaining human life and dignity. It calls for the need to revisit the justice administration systems and punishment procedures, as well as resourcing and empowering law enforcers to fight crime, including vigilantism.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 The Howard League and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Adzimah-Alade, M, Akotia, CS, Annor, F et al. (1 more author) (2020) Vigilantism in Ghana: Trends, Victim Characteristics, and Reported Reasons. Howard Journal of Crime and Justice, 59 (2). pp. 194-213. ISSN 2059-1101, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/hojo.12364. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Ghana; law enforcement; mob justice; vigilantism; violence |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 May 2020 14:53 |
Last Modified: | 19 Jul 2022 13:16 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/hojo.12364 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:160500 |