The systematic victim
Social system
A complex arrangement of elements including individuals and their beliefs, as they relate to a whole. It is a patterned network of relationships forming a whole that exists among individuals, groups and institutions in society.
Sociological perspective
Social processes such as those in political, legal, economic, scientific and religious institutions, create difference. They determine that some differences are more important than others, and assign particular meanings to those differences
Systematic victimisation
The mistreatment of people that is supported and enforced byu society and its institutions. Those who are systematically oppressed fave overwhelming barriers to seeking advocacy and justice
Systematically oppressed people
Least likely to repot a crime due to institutionalised racism and discrimination. They do not trust the authorities and the legal processes of which they could avail themselves. When the report they can be victimised by not being believed or lack safety within the system.
Victimisation and british crime surveys
The bulk of our info about victimisation comes from large-scale surveys, but there are certain sections of society that are not covered by household surveys those that do not live in conventional households. Some of these groups also happen to be some of the most vulnerable.
Structural inequalities int he courtroom
Language
Class
Race/ethnicity
ableism
Implicit bias
Structural inequality
Happens when organisations, the sate, social networks, and other prevailing social institutions contain a bais that provides advantages for certain members of society and marginalises other members. This involves unequal access to health care, housin, education, financial opportunities and so on.
“Broad structures of the division of labour, hierarchical decision-making
power, and processes of normalisation inhibit the ability of some people to
develop and exercise their capacities while offering wide opportunities to
others” (Young: 78).
Positional differences
“A politics of positional difference primarily concerns issues of justice
regarding structural inequality. People suffer injustice by virtue of structural
inequality when their group social positioning means that the operation of
diverse institutions and practices conspires to limit their opportunities to
achieve well-being.” (Young)
Cultural differences
“People suffer specifically culture-based injustice when they are not free to
express themselves as they wish, associate with others with whom they
share forms of expression and practices…or when their group situation is
such that they bear significant economic or political costs in pursuing a
distinctive way of life.” (Young)
Victimisation and the vulnerable
Who are the most vulnerable social group to crime and violence
Time Newburn argues that ‘vulnerability’ is often defines as physical vulnerability in the criminological literature. But research shows that risk of crime victimisation is heavily influenced by demographic factors such as where one lives and works as well as physical characteristics