A Compassionate Perspective on Justice – a SCARS Institute Editorial
A Compassionate Perspective on Criminal Justice and Recovery for Scam Victims
Primary Category: Editorial and Commentary
Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
About This Article
The SCARS Institute offers a compassionate perspective on justice for scam victims, emphasizing that while accountability is essential, true justice should focus on restoring balance, not celebrating punishment. Victims face immense emotional and financial harm from scams, and seeing perpetrators arrested can bring relief. However, SCARS encourages victims to view arrests not as joyous events but as complex situations with broader societal implications.
Criminals often come from disadvantaged or misguided backgrounds, and the cycle of crime affects everyone, including their families and communities. For victims, healing is a journey that can be interrupted by focusing solely on anger or retribution; SCARS recommends trauma counseling for those struggling with unresolved emotions. The organization also underscores the vital role victims play in fighting scams by reporting incidents, educating others, and voting for leaders who prioritize crime prevention and Big Tech regulation. SCARS is committed to supporting victims’ recovery and to reducing crime in West Africa through innovative programs to prevent recidivism.
A Compassionate Perspective on Justice and Recovery for Scam Victims
A SCARS Editorial
For victims of scams, seeing perpetrators brought to justice can feel validating. After enduring deceit, betrayal, and financial and emotional harm, the arrest of those responsible might bring a sense of relief. But while justice is essential, it’s also complex. As advocates working with victims, we strive to support a balanced perspective on justice, one that acknowledges both the relief of accountability and the broader context of loss. There’s nothing joyous about the end of any life’s potential, even one marred by criminal choices. Justice serves as a necessary response, not as an expression of vengeance. It is about fairness, restoration, and the hope that future harm can be prevented.
The damage scammers inflict on victims is profound. Scam Victims-Survivors are left facing the overwhelming emotional and financial toll of someone else’s greed or manipulation. The effects can last for years, leaving scars that go far deeper than the initial crime. Every scam victim-survivor’s experience matters and each one deserves understanding, compassion, and justice. But justice, in its truest form, is a societal process designed to restore balance—not as a reason to rejoice in someone else’s misfortune, even the misfortune of a perpetrator.
Acknowledging the tragedy in a scammer’s downfall is not about excusing their actions. Rather, it’s about recognizing that each person who chooses crime over contribution represents a lost opportunity for a productive life. Some scammers are hardened by self-interest or narcissism, others may even be psychopaths who show no remorse. But most are individuals who, under different circumstances, may have made very different choices. Perhaps out of desperation or misguided ambition, they chose a path that ultimately destroys lives—including their own. Now, they face the fair consequences of those choices. Yet, for many, this path results in a cycle of crime, incarceration, and societal costs that affect us all. Rather than a cause for celebration, it’s a reminder of the work needed to address the roots of criminal behavior.
For victims, healing from trauma is a journey, and it’s natural to experience feelings of anger, grief, and frustration along the way. These emotions are valid, particularly in light of the intense betrayal many victims feel. However, letting anger dominate will interfere with the path to recovery. Dwelling on punishment alone can shift focus from what matters most—your own healing and peace. If you find yourself consumed with thoughts of retribution or satisfaction in the downfall of others, it is probably a signal that unresolved trauma is affecting you. Speaking with a counselor or trauma specialist can offer meaningful support, helping you process these complex emotions and move forward with renewed resilience and strength. Remember, you deserve the freedom that comes with healing.
Our work at the SCARS Institute is built on the belief that victims play an essential role in this fight against scams. By reporting every incident, you help increase awareness of the problem and contribute to a stronger response from law enforcement and society. Sharing your experience with trusted individuals outside of social media allows others to truly understand the impact of these crimes, building greater compassion and empathy across communities. Voting for leaders who prioritize crime prevention and sensible regulations on Big Tech is another way victims can drive change. Major tech platforms are the very channels that scammers use to operate and victimize people, and by advocating for policies that limit these opportunities, we can reduce criminal activity and dissuade others from choosing crime.
When arrests are made, we can find relief, not in the downfall of individuals but in the hard work of law enforcement, victims, and advocates who have dedicated themselves to justice. While some criminals may never change, others might have taken a different path had they not been lured into a world of deception. The justice system exists to provide fairness and balance, holding accountable those who harm others while also acknowledging the larger societal costs of lost potential. Recognizing the humanity in these situations does not excuse or condone crime. Instead, it reminds us of the importance of addressing root causes to prevent others from choosing harmful paths in the first place.
The SCARS Institute’s Team is working in West Africa to disrupt these crimes and reduce new criminal recruitment, but also in the coming months we will be supporting the West African governments to find new solutions to recidivism.
At the SCARS Institute, our purpose is to support victims on their journey to recovery, providing guidance, resources, and compassionate advocacy. Healing is not easy, and we understand the challenges it entails. But your journey is crucial, not only for your own well-being but also for making a difference in the broader fight against online scams. Embrace this opportunity to advocate for justice, create awareness, and support others who have gone through similar experiences.
We encourage you to reflect deeply on the perspectives we’ve shared here. As always, we welcome open dialogue on this topic, encouraging respectful and thoughtful comments. Together, we can continue working toward a society that values justice, awareness, and compassion, recognizing the complexity of each individual’s journey and the importance of balanced, thoughtful justice.
If you have ideas about how to prevent convicted scammers from returning to their life of crime we would welcome the opportunity to hear them. If you have real, pragmatic, and concrete thoughts about how to reduce the number of convicted scammers who return to a life of crime, we would like to hear from you. Please share your viewpoint by emailing us at: Recidivism@againstscams.org You just might have the idea that makes all the difference in reducing crime in West Africa.
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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