In thinking about the question of what crime is, what it isn't and who gets to decide, the following information, articles and publications may be of interest.
Rather than conventional law and order images of police, prison and judges, this competition invites entries which stimulate thinking about harm, injustice and crime.
Violence: Public and private
Whether it is the distressing cases of young people killed in the streets; the seemingly random fights and confrontations often connected to drink, drugs or so-called `youth culture'; or specific forms of criminality such as street robbery and intimidation, violence in the public realm is the regular subject of media and political debate. Meanwhile, much serious and traumatic acts of violence - such as child abuse, violence against women, injuries at work - are committed far from the public gaze.
Finance
Corporate activities and the financial markets have the potential to affect many thousands of people at the same time. For example the collapse of the Maxwell pension scheme and the Christmas hamper scheme, Farepak, pointed to the distressing and devastating impact on savers, pensioners and employees. Many minor financial indiscretions and fiddles by the `middle classes' can also have a significant impact too. The material, emotional and physical impact of poverty and financial insecurity often remains hidden or is thought to be the fault of those affected. The What is crime? project will explore the various ways in which financial markets and corporations sometimes involve harmful activities, or consider issues relating to inequality and poverty.
Environment
The potentially disastrous consequences of continued global warming and environmental change raises new questions about harms associated with ecological damage. While current policy debates tend to focus on the localised environmental impacts of vandalism and fly-tipping, the far reaching consequences of industrial pollution on the vulnerable is often ignored. The negative effects on health and well-being seems to often be born by people already experiencing a range of other disadvantages. Other areas the project may focus on could include anything from the effects of GM crops, increased risks of flooding, the impact of vehicle exhaust fumes and industrial pollution.
As part of the What is crime? project, we published a series of What is crime? research and policy briefing papers to explore these themes.
Find out more about entry requirements, judges and terms and conditions here:
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, 2 Langley Lane, Vauxhall, London, SW8 1GB
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