Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Theoretical Correlates Of Sexual And Physical Victimization In Adulthood, Morgan Goslar

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

As research on victimization continues to adapt, scholars have begun to examine how certain variables in childhood affect the likelihood of being victimized in adulthood—much of which is focused on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Studying the impact of early experiences on later victimization outcomes is important for the field so practitioners can intervene early in an individual’s life before they experience further trauma. However, past research has neglected to use a comprehensive approach (e.g., using multiple theoretical frameworks, assessing the frequency of ACE occurrences). The current study addresses these gaps in the literature by assessing the impact of variables related …

University Of Nebraska At Omaha Commencement: May 2024, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Graduate List - May 2024, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Lists

No abstract provided.

The Beast With Many Heads: Situational And Dispositional Differences In Physiological, Subjective, And Behavioral Responses To Social Rejection, Ellyn C. Maese

Psychology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Threats to humans’ deep-rooted social needs are associated with strong physiological, emotional, and behavioral responses that are linked to systems for physical pain responses. Yet, prior research has also revealed inconsistencies in responses to social threats, which may be related to differences in situational or dispositional factors. In exploration of these potential explanations, the proposed research aims to investigate physiological, subjective, and behavioral responses to two distinct types of social threat experiences. This study will involve analyzing data collected from a sample of 127 students at a midwestern state university who participated in a laboratory experiment in which they faced …

Seeking Sanctuary: An Analysis Of U Visa Policies In Omaha, Nebraska And Their Impact On Immigrant Communities, Emma Ehmke

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Since 2000, immigrants have been eligible for U visa status if they are a victim of a particular crime and assist law enforcement in criminal investigations. However, challenges arise for numerous reasons with the I-918 Supplement B form, which must be signed by an agency certifier within law enforcement or an attorney’s office. This study examines the policies of six law enforcement agencies and attorney’s offices in the Omaha Metro Area through semi-structured interviews to understand their approach to U visas and the characteristics of successful applications. The study aims to uncover variations in agency procedures and understandings and the …

Ethics In Law And The Effects On Mental Health: An Interview Study, Kaitlyn Nyffeler

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

On August 2, 1983, The American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct were adopted by the House of Delegates. This set of rules provides legal professionals with the guidance needed to uphold the rule of law and to preserve justice. In this set of rules, lawyers learn the duties of confidentiality, client relations, diligence, and the overall conduct owed to the courts. Furthermore, these duties can be demanding and oftentimes challenging. Therefore, this study examined the different ethical rules as they apply to lawyers and how these demands can impact their mental health. Interviews were conducted with six lawyers …

Restorative Circles Training Through Video Modules: A Case Design With A Teacher From The Midwest, Diedra A. Reeves

Psychology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Schools have been employing zero-tolerance policies for decades without knowing the true consequences these disciplinary procedures have on students, especially culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students. Restorative Practices are a useful tool that can be implemented as an alternative disciplinary method. The current study focuses on restorative circles, which has shown evidence for improving school climate and teacher-student relationships, as well as reducing inappropriate disciplinary practices. Restorative circles mend relationships and bring the school community closer together. The purpose of the current study was to provide restorative circles training via online video modules to one elementary school teacher in the …

Threat And Risk Assessment Measurement: A State Of The Science Review, Samuel Hunter, Katherine Parsons, Kelsey Ciagala, Sydney L. Reichin, Matt Allen, Erin M. Kearns, Austin C. Doctor, Joel Elson

Reports, Projects, and Research

Threat and risk assessment are the processes of identifying, assessing, and managing threats of targeted violence prompted by warning behaviors. Threat assessment differs from the traditional operations of law enforcement as it may provide predictive information rather than investigating threats after a violent offense has been committed. Threat and risk assessment examines the escalation of behavior over time and corroborates information from multiple sources to reach a level of concern. Initially developed as a way to prevent assassinations, the tools and approaches around threat assessment have emerged as a violence prevention measure in many settings, including workplaces, schools, universities, and …

Sex Matters The Impact Of Skin Tone On Perceived Levels Of Attraction, Callie Vitro, Talisa J. Carter

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Research finds that individuals of dark complexions are more likely to face prejudice or be discriminated against in a variety of contexts. Referred to as colorism, skin-tone-based discrimination has major implications for various life outcomes. Research on social interactions suggests that lighter skin tones are associated with a higher level of physical attractiveness, which is of particular interest for this study. This study uses quantitative survey data collected from undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States to explore the relationship between colorism, gender, and perceived physical attraction via a modified version of Harvey, Tennial, and Bank’s In-Group Colorism …

Advancing Pretrial Assessments: Development Of The Personal Recognizance Interview & Needs Screen (Prins), Zachary Hamilton, John Ursino, Alex Kigerl

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Purpose

Methods

Examining The Relationship Between Victim Self-Protective Behaviors And Sexual Assault Case Processing, Caralin C. Branscum

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Sexual assault, a severely underreported crime in the US, is hindered by negative interactions between victims and criminal justice system actors’, contributing to high case attrition rates. Accordingly, understanding factors impacting case outcomes, such as criminal justice system actors’ perceptions of the victim and decision-making, is crucial. Victim self-protective behaviors—which are the range of actions, reactions, or strategies employed by individuals to mitigate or prevent harm from a crime, such as sexual assault—lack sufficient research on their impact on case processing. To fill this gap, this study analyzed 469 reported sexual assault cases, employing bivariate and multivariate analyses to assess …

The Politics Of Equality And Inequality, Manny Garcia

Political Science Theses, Dissertations and Student Creative Activity

Inequality and equality are two concepts found at the center of political science research. Around the world, governments have approached these concepts with caution as they have influenced nations' political, social, and economic structures throughout history. This essay will explore the politics of equality and inequality by drawing on the subfields of American government, political theory, and international relations. Through this interdisciplinary lens, this essay will delve into these concepts' historical, theoretical, and practical dimensions, their correlation with the referenced subfields, and their interplay within modern society. This essay will also analyze contemporary manifestations of these dynamics, shedding light on …

Evaluation Of Safer Foundation’S Achieving Change Together Program: Administered In Iowa’S 7th Judicial District, Nebraska Center For Justice, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Reports

The Achieving Change Together (ACT) program provided cognitive behavioral interventions to 156 persons reentering the community between 2020 and 2023. Evaluators at the University of Nebraska Omaha utilized multiple data sources to complete the evaluation of the process and subsequent outcomes of the program. Qualitative interview and observation data was collected to understand the implementation process of the ACT. A participant survey supplemented this data, examining behavioral attitudes and satisfaction with the programming. Further, we obtained institutional data from the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) and relevant courts data from the Iowa Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning (CJJP) to examine …

Recruiting, Retaining, And Advancing Women In Policing: Lessons Learned From The Iawp Gender-Responsive Policing Summit, Jessica Huff, Samantha S. Clinkinbeard, Rachael Rief, Brenna Dunlap, Inès Zamouri, Lexi Goodijohn, Caroline Meenagh, Champ Champenstein, Jane Townsley, Mirko Fernandez, Jessica Swanson

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Despite persistent support for increasing gender diversity in US policing, women remain underrepresented. Yet, barriers to women in policing are not universal. Many police organizations in the USA and internationally have implemented promising gender-responsive approaches. The International and Nebraska Associations of Women Police (IAWP/NAWP) and UN Women convened a Gender-Responsive Policing Summit to share successful efforts to improve recruitment, retention, promotion, and wellness of women in policing. Researchers conducted systematic observations of Summit sessions, paying particular attention to solutions offered to advance gender-responsive policing. This instrumental case study summarizes lessons learned based on multistage inductive coding of Summit observation notes. …

Ask The Women In Blue: Female Officers’ Thoughts On The Recruitment And Retention Of Women In Policing, Rachael Rief, Samantha S. Clinkinbeard, Lexi Goodijohn, Trisha Rhodes

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Women bring many benefits to policing but represent only 14% of sworn police in the United States. Researchers have examined different recruitment strategies, yet few have sought insight from women officers themselves. We explored women officers’ perspectives on recruiting and retaining more women in policing. Using semi-structured interviews, we asked 40 current and retired women officers how police agencies can better target women to increase their representation. Responses were analyzed using open coding techniques. Participants noted difficulty hiring amid a larger police staffing crisis. They also discussed the structure and culture of police work as barriers to the recruitment and …

Provision And Long-Term Assessment Of A Specialized Clinical Evidence-Based Practice Curriculum For Master Of Social Work Students, Susan Reay

Social Work Faculty Publications

This study investigated social workers’ knowledge of the common elements in evidence-based practice to treat youth mental health conditions following a specialized curriculum during their Master of Social Work (MSW) education. Participants’ knowledge was measured during their MSW education and in their first 5 years of social work practice after graduation. The quantitative study measured participants’ knowledge of common elements three times; 86 social workers participated in the study with 67 sets of scores at three data points. Study results showed that participants knew more after completing the curriculum but knew less one to five years after graduation. Overall, however, …

The Synanon Fix, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of The Synanon Fix (2024), directed by Rory Kennedy.

Punishment, Rubina Ramji

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Punishment (2024), directed by Øystein Mamen.

2024 Annual Campus Safety And Fire Safety Report (Uno), University Of Nebraska Police And Public Safety Department

Public Safety Reports

Annual safety and fire report for the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Includes information on crime statistics, comprehensive response protocols, and the various safety resources.

External Funding Bulletin, January - June 2024, Uno Office Of Research And Creative Activity

Sponsored Programs Bulletins

No abstract provided.

Nebraska Department Of Correctional Services Classification And Crowding Project Technical Report, Zachary Hamilton, Alex Kigerl, Baylee Allen-Flores, Addison Kobie, John Ursino, Amber Krushas, Brian Gildea, Ryan E. Spohn

Reports

In response to recent reports and noted issues of prison crowding, NDCS (Nebraska Department of Correctional Services) contracted with NCJR (Nebraska Center for Justice Research) to investigate the impacts of crowding. Going beyond the CSG, CJI, and Master Plan reports (Council of State Governments, 2015; Criminal Justice Institute, 2022; Dewberry, 2023; JFA, 2020), NDCS requested NCJR identify which facilities and populations are impacted greatest via crowding. Further, findings provide areas of recommended changes needed to ease growth and help maintain safety and functionality of NDCS institutions. As part of Phase I, we completed a process evaluation, which included a review …

Fact Book, Academic Year 2023, Systems Intelligence And Data Analytics, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Fact Book

The Fact Book presents important campus information in data tables and charts. Included are details regarding students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Generally, data are broken out by college, rank, level, gender, age and ethnicity for both spring and fall semesters, past to present. There are a few academic year tables that include information on tuition & fees, student credit hours by program, and degrees conferred. We wish to thank the many individuals and departments at the University for their contributions to the Fact Book.

Finding An Answer In Time: Assessing Change In Needs Scores On Time To Recidivism Among Justice-Involved Youth, Amber Krushas, Zachary Hamilton, Alex Kigerl, Xiaohan Mei

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Purpose

Methods

University Of Nebraska At Omaha Commencement: December 2023, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Graduate List - December 2023, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Lists

No abstract provided.

Comparing Meters To Yards: A Nationally Representative Evaluation Of Gender Bias In Risk Assessment, Zachary Hamilton, Melissa Kowalski, Michael Campagna, Addison Kobie, Alex Kigerl

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Risk-needs assessments (RNAs) assist correctional staff in assigning supervision and programming. While gender is a well-known predictor of crime, for decades contemporary RNAs have claimed “gender-neutrality” or risk prediction equality for males and females. Unfortunately, females are frequently overclassified, relegated to a category higher than their risks indicate. Using ridge and mixed effects regression methods, we sought to enhance the predictive accuracy of the Modified Positive Achievement Change Tool (MPACT) comparing three common assessment development methods via a 10-state sample of youth (N = 241,596) across multiple justice settings. Findings demonstrated recidivism rates vary substantially by gender and bias/overclassification …

The Nciter Newsletter December 2023, National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, And Education Center

Newsletters

NCITE (National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education) is the Department of Homeland Security's center of excellence for terrorism prevention and counterterrorism research. They are a federally funded academic consortium based in Omaha, Nebraska. Their newsletters covers the current news, activities, and updates of the center and the latest in counterterrorism research. NCITEr newsletter covers specifically center updates.

An Analysis Of The Impact And Effectiveness Of Human Trafficking State Laws And Policies In Missouri And Nebraska, Madeleine Mather

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to use another person for sex or labor. Human trafficking is a prevalent issue within the United States that is not talked about enough. This leads to a misrepresentation of facts about human trafficking that can lead to common myths related to human trafficking. It is each state’s responsibility to develop laws and policies that protect victims and prosecute offenders justly according to the crime. This research delves into an analysis of Missouri and Nebraska state statutes to determine their effectiveness and assess the level of awareness among residents of …

Epidemiological Criminology And Covid: A Transdisciplinary Analysis Of Violent Crime And Emergency Department Admissions During Covid, Lindsey Wylie, Julie D. Garman, Gaylene Armstrong, Ashley Farrens, Jenny Burt, Mark Foxall, Michael Visenio, Macall Cox, Cynthia Hernandex, Charity H. Evans, Ashley Ann Raposo-Hadley

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

As little is known about the influence of COVID-19 on rates of violent crime, the purpose of this study is to examine violent injury captured by emergency department admissions and by law enforcement in a mid-sized midwestern city (Omaha, Nebraska) from January 2016 to December 2020. Although COVID-19 did not show a direct significant relationship, weeks during the COVID-19 period showed a marginal increase in incident rate ratios for violent incidents in both datasets. While violence remained stable during the pandemic, racial differences between samples were observed. This study emphasizes the utility of a transdisciplinary approach to understand the underlying …

The Cpacs Collective November 2023, College Of Public Affairs And Community Service, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

CPACS Newsletters

The College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) newsletter that reported on the news, collaborations, events, and general happenings of the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service. This newsletter has had many names and variations over the years including SPACS Newsletter (1973); Newsletter of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (1973-1974): Happenings (1974-1980s); and the current e-newsletter titled the CPACS Collective (2021-)