Date
8-26-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health
Department
Human Services
Abstract
The victim-offender overlap challenges the common view that victims and offenders are separately labeled by recognizing that both groups have experienced significant childhood trauma, physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Current research implies these experiences can increase the risk of offending as they all influence cognitive and behavioral development while leaving criminal behavior undetermined. The purpose of this capstone is to analyze the relationship between childhood victimization and offending from a human service perspective; analyzing the pathways a victim takes on the road to offending. Research conducted will focus on exploring the victim-offender overlap, developmental trauma, moral injury, the cycle of violence and risk and protective factors that are all a part of criminal behavior. The literature review will additionally examine criminal justice and human services responses, family-based interventions, victim advocacy, victimization histories, ACE screenings, individualized service planning, and interagency collaboration as methods of reducing recidivism. Human service professionals can break the cycle of victimization and offending while enhancing accountability and public safety through client-centered practice and acknowledgement of unrepresented populations. Finally, the capstone identifies gaps within current research and supports the need for continued analysis on trauma-informed, individualized, and multidisciplinary approaches to address the victim offender overlap. The victim-offender overlap analysis has contributed to the reduction of victims who have become offenders by finding alternative methods of treatment and rehabilitation.
Recommended Citation
Penalosa, C. R. (2026). Breaking the Cycle: From Victimization to Offending Through the Lens of Human Services (Thesis, Concordia University, St. Paul). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/human-services_masters/55Included in
Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons, Child Psychology Commons, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Development Studies Commons, Disability Studies Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Other Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons, Patient Safety Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatry Commons, Psychological Phenomena and Processes Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons, Trauma Commons