The
2nd International Conference on Compulsive Theft
& Spending recently took place in Detroit,
Michigan Saturday September 27, 2008. The
conference was organized and presented by Terrence
Shulman of The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft
& Spending. Mr. Shulman had previously
organized and presented at The First International
Conference on Theft Addictions and Disorders in
Detroit in Fall 2005.
The recent conference
was a rare and timely offering on the subjects of
shoplifting, employee theft, and compulsive
shopping and spending. Attendees from across the
U.S. and Canada included mental health
professionals, financial advisors, and
recovering persons.
Mr. Shulman presented
video clips on these topics as well as power point
presentations. There was also a panel of two local
men in recovery--one from shoplifting and the
other from compulsive shopping/spending and
employee theft. There was ample time throughout
the conference for questions and
discussion.
The intent of the conference
was to educate and connect people from various
locations and backgrounds and to explore how
shoplifting, employee theft and compulsive
shopping/spending affect us all. In this
respect, the conference was a success. We had
hoped to see a presence at the conference from the
retailers/corporations (store or
company owners/managers and/or loss
prevention personnel), and the legal system
(judges, prosecutors, attorneys, and/or probation
officers) It seems important that they be
involved in understanding these phenomena to
assist in prevention and treatment where
possible.
With theft and debt issues on the
rise (see article below), the conference presented
an opportunity to discuss the bigger picture about
why these problems are occuring and what can be
done to reduce them. Themes emerged calling for
simplicity and a return to good core values such
as honesty and an attitude of appreciation and
gratitude for what is essentially most important
in life--not merely money, things and keeping up
with the Joneses.
It is uncertain whether a
similar conference will be held in the future.
Time will tell.
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HARD TIMES LIKELY TO INCREASE
RETAIL THEFT and OVERSHOPPING and
OVERSPENDING
In the wake of
the recent financial crises involving the
mortgage, investment banking, and insurance
industries, all eyes are on the upcoming
presidential election. Consumer and investment
confidence is teetering in the balance. With talk
of Gordon Gekko greed, excess, and downright
malfeasance, there's more gloomy news around the
bend. Just-released statistics from the
20th Annual Retail Theft Survey by Jack
Hayes International, Inc. indicate that, during
2007, both shoplifting and employee theft rose
sharply. This news documents a trend that has been
growing and, likely, will continue through this
year and next.
The 2007 study
estimates that there are nearly 300 million
shoplifting incidents per year, costing retailers
about $15 Billion. 626,314 shoplifters were
apprehended from 24 of the largest retailers in
America, up 9.16% from 2006—no mention of the ones
that got away. For every $1.00 recovered from
retail theft, $37.43 is lost (that's a 2.67%
recovery rate).
The study cited
several reasons for the increase in shoplifting:
poor economy, increase in organized theft rings,
ease of selling stolen merchandise on the street
and the Internet, escalation of fraudulent
returns, a reduction in sales floor staff and loss
prevention and customer service personnel, a
decrease in honesty in our society, and a growing
perception that shoplifting is a "victimless
crime." As shoplifting—and retailers'
losses—increase, the price of goods increases and,
in return, so does shoplifting. It's a vicious
cycle.
The 2007 stats on
employee theft, which the FBI calls "the fastest
growing crime in America," are no less startling.
One in every 28.2 employees was apprehended for
stealing from an employer. 82,648 employees were
apprehended from 24 of the largest retailers in
America, up 17.57% from 2006, costing these
retailers over $22 Billion.
The study cited
several reasons for the increase in employee
theft: poor economy reduction in employee
supervision, relaxed hiring standards and
pre-employment screening, and increase in
part-time vs. full-time employees (less loyalty),
and a decrease in honesty in our society. The
study did not note, specifically, the increased
stress of having to work for less money and
benefits and the decrease in overall job security.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that 75% of
employees steal from work and that 30% of
corporate bankruptcies are a direct result of
employee theft. As work becomes scare and
lower-paying, stealing increases which results in
less work. Again, a vicious cycle ensues.
Now, some of this
stealing is just plain greed and thievery. But
research shows that most people are otherwise
honest and hard-working but reach a point where
they start to lose faith in the fairness of the
system. This is not meant as an excuse but it is a
reality we must deal with. Another trend which is
fueling our societal financial dysfunction is a
growing preoccupation and, yes, addiction to
shopping and spending. Keeping up with the Joneses
is an endless endeavor.
In 2006, Stanford
University completed a landmark study which
estimated that nearly 17 million Americans (6% of
the population) are compulsive "buyers." Men and
women suffer from this affliction about equally.
This is a conservative estimate. Many millions
more may not have crossed over the line "yet" but
are on the way there. An obsession with things
leads many into the stores to shop and,
eventually, shoplift. Many people steal from work
to get money or things to ease their debts and
burdens. Again, this is not an excuse but a
reality.
With the holiday
shopping season just around the corner, we will be
seduced again to "shop till we drop." While
retailers rely on us to throw our hard-earned
money (read: credit) their way, most of us will
have to make some crucial decisions about our
values and our lifestyles.
This will be either
the best of times or the worst of times. Or
both.
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CASA
Detroit celebrated 16th Anniversary September
10th!
C.A.S.A.
(Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters Anonymous)--metro
Detroit chapter recently celebrated its 16th
anniversary on September 10th. Founded in 1992 by
Mr. Shulman to help himself and others gain
recovery from addictive-compulsive stealing, the
group has seen approximately 2,000 (two thousand)
members in its history (including three other more
recently started local chapters). The flagship
meeting averages 20 members per weekly meeting and
is the longest-running current group of its kind
in the country.
The C.A.S.A. group also
has an online group started in the year 2000 by
Mr. Shulman which currently has nearly 200 (two
hundred) members from across the world. The
C.A.S.A. groups have inspired approximately 10
groups to form over the last decade (in
California, Georgia, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington state). On
the sad side, at least 5 groups have recently
folded, including those in Sacramento,
Minneapolis, Houston, Omaha, and San
Francisco.
However, free phone conference
groups have launched in this last year which are
open to all.
It is hoped that more
groups--live, online and by phone--start-up to
provide safe, effective environments for people to
heal.
As we head into 2009, it will take a
continued combination of grassroots, academic,
therapeutic and media interest to expand the
education and treatment of compulsive theft and
spending. We hope more can play a role in this
important and urgent endeavor.
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