Criminology Victims and Victimization PDF

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Summary

Victimization Theory, Victim precipitation, Lifestyle, Deviant place, Routine activities...

Description

Chapter 3- Victims and Victimization Victimology -

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Victimization - The action of singling someone out for cruel or unjust treatment Victimology - The study of the victim’s role in criminal events - Victims may play a direct or indirect role in their victimization Victimologists - Criminologists who focus on the victims of crime

The Nature of Victimization -

The Social Ecology of Victimization - Violent crimes -

More likely in: - Open, public areas - Commercial establishments -

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- Seasonal variations - Neighborhood characteristics - Crime in schools The Victim’s Household - Urban areas in South and Westmost vulnerable - Especially occupied by African American families - Homeowners are less vulnerable than renters - Crime rate decline possibly due to population movement Victim Characteristics - Gender - Males are more often the victims of crime than females (with the exception of select crimes) - Age - Teens and young adults experience the highest rates of violent crime -

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Daytime or early evening hours - But most of the more serious violent crimes occur at night

Social status - People of low SES are more likely to be victims of violent and property crimes - People of high SES are more likely to be victims of white-collar crimes and certain forms of theft Victim Characteristics - Race and ethnicity - Crime victimization tends to be intra-racial - Black Americans are significantly more likely than white Americans to be victims of violent crime. - Marital status

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Single people are more likely to be victims of crime than married individuals. Widows/widowers have the lowest rates of victimization

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Physical and mental traits - People with physical disabilities at higher risk for victimization - Particular personality traits closely linked to victimization - Impulsivity Victim Characteristics - Repeat victimization -

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Individuals who have been crime victims have a significantly higher chance of future victimizations than those who have never been a victim - Factors that predict chronic victimization - Target vulnerability - Target gratifiability - Target antagonism Victims and Their Criminals - Males are more likely to be victimized by a stranger - Females are more likely to be victimized by a friend, an acquaintance, or an intimate partner - Most crimes were committed by a single offender over the age of 20 -

Crimes tend to be intraracial A surprising number of violent crimes are committed by relatives or acquaintances

The Costs of Victimization -

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Economic Costs - Significant toll because many expenses are associated with each crime - Direct, tangible costs - Indirect, intangible costs Personal Costs - Socio-emotional problems - Severe emotional distress -

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Increased relationship problems Disruptions at school or work Anxiety and depression Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

- Victim fear - Victim blame Legal Costs - Crime victims are more likely to commit crime themselves - Victim-offender overlap - Those who experience victimization have a higher likelihood of offending -

Cycle of violence - Victims of crime, especially victims of childhood abuse, are more likely to commit crimes themselves - Can be violent or nonviolent

Theories of Victimization -

Victim Precipitation Theory -

The view that victims may initiate, either actively or passively, the confrontation that leads to their victimization Active precipitation - Victims provoke their own victimization Passive precipitation - Personal or social characteristics of victims that make them attractive targets for criminals; victims may unknowingly threaten/encourage their attackers

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Modern day concepts of victim precipitation are NOT victim blaming - Assists in understanding risk factors for recurring victimization Lifestyle Theories - Crime is not a random occurrence, it is a function of lifestyles: - High-risk/criminal lifestyles Deviant Place Theory - The view that victimization is primarily a function of where people live - Greater exposure to dangerous places increases the likelihood people will be victims of crime - Honor code - Typically found in gang cultures Routine Activities Theory - The view that victimization results from the interaction of 3 everyday factors: the availability of suitable targets, the absence of capable guardians, and the presence of motivated offenders - These factors increase the likelihood of a predatory crime -

Crime and everyday life - Researchers argue this can explain high rates of victimization in the US; urban areas, lack of parental supervision in suburbs, shopping malls - Fails to explain non-predatory crimes (i.e. fraud)

Routine Activities Theory Theories of Victimization: Summary - Concept Summary 3.1 Victimization Theories  Victimization Theory

Major Premise

Victim precipitation

Victims provoke criminals.

Lifestyle

Victims put themselves in danger by engaging in high-risk activities, such as going out late at night, living in a high-crime area, and associating with high-risk peers.

Deviant place

Victimization risk is related to neighborhood crime rates.

A pool of motivated offenders exists, and the offenders will take advantage of unguarded, suitable targets.

Routine activities

Caring for the Victim -

Victim Service Programs - Victim compensation -

Victim advocates Victim impact statements Public education

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Crisis intervention - Emergency counseling for crime victims - Victim-offender reconciliation programs (VORPs) - Victim notification - VINE - Legal protection for victims Victims’ Rights -

Victims’ Bill of Rights - The right to be notified of proceedings and the status of the defendant - The right to be present at criminal justice proceedings -

The right to make a statement at sentencing and to receive restitution from a convicted offender The right to be consulted before a case is dismissed or a plea bargain entered The right to a speedy trial The right to keep the victim’s information confidential...