Questions for Assessing Shoplifters With Possible Poverty Issues

Have you experienced a major financial hardship prior to your starting to shoplift (death, illness, divorce, loss of job, etc.)?

Has your financial hardship been at least partly related to alcohol/drugs, gambling, overspending, or any other addictive behavior.

Have you tended to shoplift with other people?

Have you kept your shoplifting a secret from most of your loved ones?

Have you tried asking family or friends for financial or other help?

Have you tried asking for governmental assistance (city, county, state, federal, unemployment benefits, food stamps, etc.)?

Have you sought help from charitable, religious or social service organizations?

Has your own pride prevented you from asking for more help?

Have you noticed that you started out shoplifting just “essentials” or “necessity” items, but in time, you began shoplifting other, more “want-based” things as well?

Have you noticed that even if/when your financial situation improved that you still continued to shoplift — even occasionally?