Psychological Impact Of Crime On Afghan Victims And Justice Responses
I. Overview
Afghanistan has experienced decades of conflict, insurgency, poverty, and weak governance, which deeply affect how victims of crime experience trauma and how the justice system addresses their needs.
Common Psychological Impacts on Victims:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression and anxiety
Social stigma (especially in sexual or honor-based crimes)
Loss of trust in institutions
Isolation and community rejection
Types of Crimes with Deep Psychological Consequences:
Terrorist attacks (e.g., bombings, assassinations)
Sexual and gender-based violence
Domestic violence
Child abuse
Revenge killings
Honor crimes
Justice System Responses:
Formal courts (under the Penal Code)
Informal mechanisms (jirgas/shuras)
Humanitarian and NGO support programs
Limited victim support infrastructure (psychological, legal, or financial)
II. Case Studies: Psychological Impact and Justice Response
Case 1: Kabul University Attack Survivors (2020)
Crime: Armed insurgents attacked Kabul University, killing at least 35 students.
Victim Impact:
Survivors reported severe trauma, including recurring nightmares and withdrawal from education.
Families of victims experienced chronic grief and PTSD symptoms.
Justice Response:
Afghan security forces arrested suspects.
Trials held under anti-terror laws; sentences included life imprisonment.
No state-sponsored psychological rehabilitation provided.
Significance: Highlighted the lack of trauma counseling in high-profile terror cases.
Case 2: Farkhunda Malikzada Murder Case (2015)
Crime: A woman falsely accused of burning the Quran was lynched by a mob in Kabul.
Psychological Impact:
Deep national trauma; public shock and mass protests.
Victim’s family reported intense mental distress and social isolation.
Justice Response:
Over 40 individuals arrested; several sentenced, but many acquitted or later released.
Public trials and media coverage raised awareness but failed to fully satisfy justice.
Significance: Exposed societal violence and failure to provide ongoing support for victims' families.
Case 3: Domestic Violence in Herat – Zahra’s Case (2018)
Crime: A woman was burned by her husband due to dowry disputes.
Psychological Impact:
Zahra suffered from depression, suicidal thoughts, and social shame.
Her children developed anxiety and dropped out of school.
Justice Response:
Husband arrested but later released after a tribal jirga reconciliation.
Zahra received limited psychological aid from a local women's shelter.
Significance: Illustrates failure of informal justice to address victims’ trauma or hold perpetrators accountable.
Case 4: Child Abuse in Kunduz – School Teacher Conviction (2019)
Crime: A teacher was accused of sexually abusing students in a madrasa.
Victim Impact:
Children developed signs of trauma: fear, aggression, and school refusal.
Families experienced shame and fear of retaliation.
Justice Response:
Criminal court found the teacher guilty; 10-year sentence imposed.
No psychological support offered to victims through the state.
NGO-based interventions later provided trauma therapy to some children.
Significance: Shows both the capability of the formal system and its support gaps for child victims.
Case 5: Honor Killing in Nangarhar – Amina’s Case (2016)
Crime: A young woman killed by her brother for alleged relationship outside marriage.
Psychological Impact:
Mother developed severe depression and PTSD.
Surviving siblings stigmatized and forced to flee community.
Justice Response:
Jirga resolved case with blood money and no prosecution.
The state failed to intervene due to fear of destabilizing tribal harmony.
Significance: Reflects how informal systems often ignore psychological harm, especially in honor-related crimes.
Case 6: Suicide Bombing at Girls’ School – Dasht-e-Barchi, Kabul (2021)
Crime: Terror attack targeted Hazara girls at a school; over 85 killed.
Victim Impact:
Survivors experienced extreme trauma, survivors' guilt, and distrust of public spaces.
Community experienced collective grief and anxiety.
Justice Response:
Taliban blamed external groups post-2021, but no transparent investigation.
Families left without justice or psychological aid.
Significance: Massive trauma event with virtually no state or mental health response.
Case 7: Human Trafficking Victim in Nimroz – Parwana’s Case (2020)
Crime: Teenage girl trafficked to Iran for forced marriage.
Psychological Impact:
Parwana suffered trauma from abuse, forced labor, and family rejection upon return.
Justice Response:
Trafficker arrested but released after tribal intervention.
No rehabilitation or reintegration support for victim.
Significance: Highlights gap in state response for cross-border crime victims.
III. Key Observations
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Trauma Ignored in Justice System | Courts focus on legal procedure, rarely address victims’ emotional needs. |
| Over-reliance on Informal Justice | Jirgas prioritize community peace over victim healing or punishment. |
| Gendered Impact | Women victims face social stigma, often blamed or silenced. |
| Child Victims | Children face long-term trauma with limited protection. |
| Lack of Mental Health Infrastructure | Few trained psychologists, especially outside Kabul. |
| NGO Dependency | Most victim support services are provided by international or local NGOs. |
IV. Conclusion
The psychological impact of crime on Afghan victims is profound and multi-layered, especially in cases of violence, gender-based crimes, and terrorism. Unfortunately, the justice system—whether formal or informal—often lacks the capacity or willingness to address the mental health and emotional recovery of victims.
To improve justice responses:
Trauma-informed legal procedures are needed.
Integration of mental health services in police and court systems.
Victim protection programs, especially for women and children.
Training for judges, police, and jirga elders on psychological effects of crime.
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