Victims and victimology

Criminology Unit 1, Week 5

victim

person who suffers physical, emotional, and finacial harm becuase of illegal activity

victim precipitation theory

Based on early questions asked by victimologists: What did
the victim do to cause their victimization? How do they
initiate their victimization?

Active precipitation

victim directly does something to cuase tehri oen victimization

passive precipitation

victim unknowingly gives off signs or signals that trigger an attack

3 elements for a criem to take place

suitable targts, lack of capable guardian, motivated offender

deviant place theory

Greater exposure to dangerous places makes an individual more likly to become a crime victim

lifestyle theory

inidviduals targeted based on lifestyle choices, may expose themselves to criminal offeders or bad situations.

Victimization is not random

resukt if choices made by the victim in how they live ttheir life

victim blaming

arguments that victims of crime might share responsibility with
their offenders for what happened due to facilitation, precipitation, and
provocation

Victim Defending

challenges whether it is fair or accurate to try to hold the
wounded party accountable for injuries and losses the offender inflicted
(countering view to victim blaming)

victim blaming folows these steps

1. there is somthing wrong with these individuals

2. what is wrong/different about these individuals are there source of their victimization

3. If they want to avoid future troubles, individuals need to change how they think and act

why is victim-blaming perspective pervasive?

Provides a specific and straightforward answer to troubling
questions
•Psychological Appeal
• Personal Accountability & Control
• Just World Outlook: people get what they deserve before their lives end 
world is not governed by random senseless and brutal acts
• Offenders and bystanders may lack empathy

Ideal victim

they portray weakness, respectability, and blamelessness, making them more sympathetic in society's eyes. examples: children, elderly, disabled .

deviant victim

most victims actually fall under this. “innocence” must be construed, explore role played in victimization, understand these roles

victim costs

direct economic losses suffered by crime victims (medical
care, property loss/damage, lost earnings) (tangible cost)

criminal justice system costs

local, state, and federal government funds
spent on police protection, legal and adjudication services, and
corrections programs. (tangible cost)

crime career costs

Opportunity costs assoc. w/ criminal’s choice to
engage in illegal rather than legal & productive opportunities. (tangible cost)

intangible costs

indirect losses suffered by crime victims including pain
and suffering, decreased quality of life, and psychological distress

tertiary victimization

victimization that is diffuse and extends to the community at large