Crime, Law and Society Exam Guidance and Victimology Notes

Exam Guidance

Exam Date: Monday 28th April 2025

Time: 09:30 – 11:30

Format: Unseen open-book online exam available on Blackboard

• The exam structure allows candidates to consult the material during the examination, enhancing their ability to formulate responses based on provided resources.

Accessibility:

• Link accessible from 09:25, providing students with adequate time to log in and prepare before the exam starts.

• Closes at 11:30; extended timing available to accommodate diverse needs, ensuring fairness in assessment.

  • 25% extra time: students who need additional support can submit their work by 12:00.

  • 50% extra time: further assistance is available, allowing submission by 12:30.

• Submission process is conducted through the same portal where the exam is accessed; additionally, a "Dummy" exam available now helps familiarize students with the format and expectations.

Exam Structure

Two Sections:

1. Criminology:

   • Case Study (max 750 words)

   • Students are required to choose a relevant case for analysis, demonstrating their ability to apply criminological theories and concepts effectively.

2. Law:

   • Law puzzle/problem (max 750 words)

   • Candidates must analyze a legal problem and provide a clear, reasoned answer that showcases their understanding of relevant legal principles and precedents.

• It is mandatory to answer both sections to complete the exam requirements.

• No in-text citations or reference list is required, but understanding and referencing theorists and case law will significantly enhance the depth of analyses.

• Students should avoid including any previously submitted work from Assessment 1 to ensure originality.

• Each section is weighted at 50% towards the total exam marks, indicating their equal importance in the overall evaluation.

Improving Your Grades

Structure:

• Use properly constructed paragraphs; maintain a balance by avoiding overly lengthy paragraphs that may overwhelm the reader. Bulleted lists can be effective for highlighting key points but should not dominate the response.

Understanding of Theory:

• Extensive reading is essential to substantiate claims with credible evidence; students should aim to engage with a range of academic sources to support their arguments effectively.

Critical Appraisal:

• A critical approach towards theories and evidence is encouraged; consider alternative perspectives and potential counterarguments to strengthen your analytical depth.

Clarity of Expression:

• Write clearly in plain English; avoid ambiguity and complex jargon that may confuse readers.

Grammar and Language Use:

• Proofread your work thoroughly to correct grammatical errors and ensure clarity, which is crucial for effective communication of ideas.

Answering Strategies

Stay Relevant:

• Ensure that answers remain focused on the exam question; clarity in argumentation is key to achieving a good score.

Avoid Cheating:

• Emphasize the importance of writing the exam in your own words; generative AI and practices such as plagiarism and collusion are serious offenses that can lead to penalties.

• Manage direct quotations properly, including references where necessary, to maintain academic integrity.

Introduction to Victimology

Definition:

• The scientific study of crime victims and their experiences within the justice system; this field examines not just the act of crime but the broader implications of victimization on individuals and communities.

Focus on patterns in victimization:

• Investigates the societal, psychological, and legal factors influencing victim experiences and how these patterns can inform interventions and policy.

Contexts:

• Victimology extends into social, political, and cultural dimensions, highlighting the influence of these contexts on individual and communal victimization experiences.

History of Victimology

Origin:

• The term "victimology" was first utilized by Benjamin Mendelsohn in 1940, who paved the way for further exploration of victims' roles in the criminal justice narrative.

Focus Shift:

• The perspective on victimology shifted from an offender-centric view to focusing on the victim post-1960s as a response to increased crime rates and the need for victim advocacy.

Concept Evolution:

• The evolution of victimology involves transitioning from a purely legal lens to a more comprehensive view that incorporates societal perceptions, psychological impacts, and advocacy for victims’ rights.

Victim Definitions

According to the UN Declaration:

• Victims are individuals who experience physical, mental, or emotional harm as a result of crime; they are also subject to economic loss and violations of their rights, which may manifest in various forms such as psychological trauma and social stigmatization.

Complexity of Victimhood

Labeling:

• The term "victim" can carry stigmatizing connotations that complicate public perception and societal responses; it is essential to consider how labels affect individuals' recognition of their victimization.

Rejection of Victim Status:

• Some individuals may consciously reject or resist the label of "victim" due to its associations with helplessness and dependence, seeking to frame their experiences in a more empowering light.

Victim-Survivor Concept

Terminology:

• "Victim": recognizes and acknowledges the harm endured.

• "Survivor": emphasizes resilience and strength beyond the experience of victimization.

• "Victim-Survivor": acknowledges the complex realities of experiences that individuals face post-victimization, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of recovery and healing.

Key Concepts in Victimisation

Types of Victims:

• Primary: those individuals who are directly affected by crime, suffering immediate harm.

• Secondary: those near primary victims, such as family members or friends, who may also experience trauma and emotional distress.

• Tertiary: individuals involved in the aftermath or intervention, like law enforcement or social workers, who work with victims.

Repeat Victimisation:

• Refers to individuals who endure multiple incidents of victimization, such as cases of domestic violence, highlighting the persistent risk factors and cycles of abuse that may not be addressed.

Victim-Biases:

• A hierarchy of victimization exists based on societal perceptions, leading to victim blaming and stigmatization of certain groups, which complicates their path to justice and advocacy.

The Ideal Victim

Nils Christie's Perspective:

• Christie articulated the notion of the "ideal victim," suggesting that societal characteristics can affect the empathy, support, and resources victims receive from the justice system.

Attributes:

• Ideal victims typically embody traits such as perceived weakness, respectability, and the circumstances of their victimization, such as the nature of the crime location, the perceived danger posed by the offender, and the absence of any relationship between victim and offender, which often dictate public sympathy.

Social Constructs of Victimhood

Hierarchy Analysis:

• Those categorized as ideal victims tend to receive more favorable treatment within the justice system, while marginalized groups, including sex workers or racial/ethnic minorities, are often overlooked or faced with skepticism regarding their victim status.

Specific Victim Cases

Case Studies:

• Madeleine McCann: viewed as the ideal victim due to her age, innocence, affluent background, and the extensive media attention devoted to her case, which highlights disparities in media coverage and public support.

• Sarah Everard and Others: analyzed within the context of victim hierarchy and systemic implications, focusing on how media portrayal influences public perception and policy responses related to women’s safety.

Misunderstood Victims

Sex Workers:

• Often denied victim status, narratives around sex work frequently frame individuals as complicit in their victimization, making it challenging to access support and resources.

Male Victims of Sexual Assault:

• The significant stigma surrounding male victimization leads to underreporting and a lack of support, contributing to an environment where male victims feel marginalized and unsupported.

Trauma and Perception

Impact of Identity on Victimhood:

• An individual’s race, gender, and overall identity significantly influence societal perceptions and reactions to victimhood; for instance, Black men may often be viewed predominantly as perpetrators rather than victims of crime.

Children in Trouble:

• Often labeled as perpetrators, youth are frequently stigmatized and rendered invisible in discussions of victimization, underscoring the need for a more nuanced approach to understanding child victims.

Victim-Offender Overlap

Dynamics:

• This concept explores the intricate relationship where individuals fluctuate between roles as victims and offenders; these interactions are often heavily influenced by broader social conditions, including economic instability and community resources.

Risk Factors:

• Lifestyle factors and socio-economic conditions significantly contribute to the complexities of both victimization and offending behaviors, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of these