Victims of Crime - Chapter 1: Intro to Victimology

Scientific study of crime victims.
Examines causes and consequences of victimization.
Analyzes how the criminal justice system assists or fails to assist victims.
Benjamin Mendelsohn coined the term in 1947 and is considered the father of victimology.
A subfield of criminology; interdisciplinary, including sociology and psychology.
Utilizes the scientific method to answer questions about victims of crime.

No standard criminal law; crime seen as harm against the victim, not the state.
Victims responsible for seeking their own justice (lex talionis - "eye for an eye").
No formal reporting or investigation mechanisms.
Example: If someone stole from you, it was your responsibility to deal with it.

One of the first legal texts, containing 282 laws (criminal and civil).
Basis for the legal and criminal justice systems.
Focused on fairness; punishment should fit the crime.
Emphasized restoration of equity between victim and offender, not just state punishment.

Victimology has been criticized for victim blaming.
Early perspectives were problematic, with some blaming victims for their victimization.
Modern victimology does not study victimization in this manner.
Acknowledges that certain demographics or risky activities may increase victimization risk, but this is not to blame the victim.

The idea that some victims are responsible for their own victimization.
Example: Someone using fighting words and getting punched in the face.
Gang rape case of an 11-year-old girl in Texas where the defense attorneys and people in the town blamed her for dressing seductively.

Irresponsible act by a victim that makes it easier for someone to commit a crime.
Example: Not locking car doors, making auto theft easier.

Someone incites another to commit a criminal offense against them.
Without the victim's behavior, the crime would not have occurred.
Often seen in cases of self-defense.
Example: A woman fatally shooting a 14-year-old boy who was burglarizing her home in December 2023.

Shift in the 1960s with increasing crime rates and attention to the criminal justice system.
President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice Act initiated the National Crime Survey (now National Crime Victimization Survey).
Identified that a lot of crime is unreported to the police.

Brought attention to violence against women and children.
Before the movement, domestic violence was seen as a private family matter.
Violence against women and children was seen as a byproduct of sexism, traditional sex roles, and family values.
Critical developments included:
- Identifying harm.
- Addressing additional victimization by the criminal justice system.
- Recognizing the desperate need for services like domestic violence shelters.

Brought attention to mistreatment of minorities by the criminal justice system, both as offenders and victims.
Advocated against racism and discrimination.
The women's rights movement was largely put forth by women, minorities, and young people rather than the status quo or people with, you know, more power in society.

1965: California had the first victims compensation program, which provided financial compensation to victims.
1972: Three victim assistance programs are developed specifically for victims of crime, such as rape crisis centers.
1974: Frank Carnival's research showed that victims mistreated by the criminal justice system did not cooperate with the court system, leading to prosecution failure.
1980: President Reagan signed in the president's task force on victims of crime.
- Federal legislation for state victim compensation and local assistance programs.
- Recommendations for those who work with victims to make the victims experience less traumatic.
- Create a task force on family violence.
- Recommended a victims rights amendment.

Early victim and witness assistance programs.
Referrals to social services.
Compensation provided.
Grassroots organizations popped up to address needs of secondary victims (families and friends).
Families and Friends of Missing Persons, Parents of Murdered Children, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
National Organization for Victim Assistance created in 1965 to consolidate purposes of victims rights movements.

1980: Wisconsin Victims Bill of Rights was the first state-run program that guaranteed victims specific rights.
1980: National Organization for Victim Assistance policy campaign for victims rights.
Realization of the need to research the needs of crime victims.
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) established.
- Provided funding for research.
- Established crime victim funds from federal fines.
1994: Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act.
- Provided more funding for police officers, prisons, as well as prevention programs.
- Included the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
- Renewed several times, most recently in 2022.
1998: Janet Reno compiled New Directions from the Field.
- 250 new recommendations on how to better victim services.
- Victims are still on the outside looking in and need to be brought into the system more.
1990s: Push for states to focus on victims rights.
- Rights for trials: presence, separate waiting area, notification, compensation information, dignity, and respect.
Justice for All Act (George W. Bush).
- Focused on DNA testing, rape kits, and older evidence.

Study of the crime victim themselves to identify patterns, not to blame.
Victimization is more prevalent than originally thought.
Typical victim is a young male in an urban area, often involved in gangs or the drug trade.
Other high-risk populations include homeless individuals, individuals with mental illness, disabled individuals, and incarcerated individuals.

Criminological theories, such as routine activities theory and risky lifestyles, can be applied to victims.

Victims may not trust the police, especially if they have had negative experiences in the past.
Police officers may seem less empathetic.
Revictimized individuals are less likely to report crimes.
Victims may feel police do not take them seriously or have biases.
Courts may see cases as a waste of time.
Victims often feel they are not treated with respect or dignity.

Knowing why someone is victimized can help establish preventions.
Effective prevention programs involve knowing the extent of victimization, who is targeted, and why.
Need to look at both the offender and the victim to prevent crime.