Book review: Victims of terrorism. A comparative and interdisciplinary study
| Author | Stephanie Fohring |
| Published date | 01 September 2015 |
| Date | 01 September 2015 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0269758015591933 |
Orla Lynch and Javier Argomaniz (eds)
Victims of terrorism. A comparative and interdisciplinary study
Routledge: London, 2015; xi þ181 pp., ISBN 9780415836593
Reviewed by: Stephanie Fohring, University of Edinburgh, UK
DOI: 10.1177/0269758015591933
This edited collection is based on research conducted in both Northern Ireland and Spain, offering
real insight into the comparative study of victims of terrorism. The volume brings together the
work of scholars largely associated with the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Vio-
lence at the University of St Andrews, as well as contributors from Rey Juan Carlos University in
Spain.
The book first tackles the challenges of defining both victims and terrorism, with the compara-
tive aspect providing insight into the complexity of this task when it occurs in a politically heated
context. The divergent perspectives of Northern Ireland and Spain demonstrate that victims of ter-
rorism (and, likely, victims more generally) are a heterogeneous group with massively complex
needs. Alonso and Serrano’s chapter ‘The needs of victims of terrorism in Spain’ provides a very
clear discussion of the distinction between ‘regular’ victims of crime and victims of terrorism,
where the latter must cope additionally with the very public nature of their victimisation as well
as with any political ramifications. This may, however, have been more useful to readers had it
occurred earlier in the book. Victim hierarchies and issues of deservingness and exclusion are also
covered by comparisons of victims of the Northern Irish Troubles and ETA with much more read-
ily recognised victims of Islamic extremism, as in Madrid and London.
Moreover, the nature of justice in the context of terrorism and the very different conceptualisa-
tions of it in Spain and Northern Ireland are addressed. For example, Northern Ireland has taken a
restorative approach, compared to Spain’s more traditional penal approach. The interdisciplinary
nature of the book is apparent as the authors describe terrorism as a serious violation of human
rights as well as an international crime, therefore suggesting that acts of terrorism should fall under
the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
Noteworthy input includes Lawther’s discussion around victim status, labelling, hierarchy and
identity. Given the contexts of separatist Spain and Northern Ireland, where the distinction
between victim and perpetrator has become mired in the bi-partisan politics of the conflict, acquir-
ing victim status, if it is in fact wanted, is certainly not straightforward. Lawther brings the discus-
sion to life not only through examples of the NI conflict, but also with references to South America
and South Africa. Included are interesting points regarding possible negative consequences of
actions typically considered beneficial to healing or recovery from victimisation. For example,
truth, rather than acting solely as a precursor to healing, may actually be harmful in some instances.
The example given is that of Mozambique, where retelling the past may threaten to destabilise
social and political relationships, and survivors may wish not to ‘poison younger generations with
the hostilities of the past’ (p. 40).
Joyce and Lynch present a thought-provoking analysis of differences in how victims and service
providers describe psychological needs, with non-victims much more likely to pathologise emo-
tional reactions. For example, these needs are construed as a problem (‘drink problem’, ‘trauma’)
and normal and arguably healthy emotions such as anger and hatred are considered a burden for
victims; a ‘toxic emotion that needs to be addressed’ (p. 73). In collaboration with claims that vic-
tims, i. e. ‘traumatised’ individuals, should not be allowed to support or provide services to other
Book reviews363
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