Crime - Victimisation

Question 1

What does victimology study?

Answer 1

Victimology studies the victims of crime and their experiences

It examines the physical, psychological, emotional, financial, and social harms caused by crime.

Question 2

What significant impacts can crime have on victims?

Answer 2

Crime can cause:
* Physical harms
* Psychological harms
* Emotional harms
* Financial harms
* Social harms

These impacts vary in severity and can affect various aspects of a victim’s life.

Question 3

How do gender stereotypes contribute to victimization?

Answer 3

Gender stereotypes portray women as weak and vulnerable, making them easy targets who won’t fight back

This perception can lead to higher rates of victimization among women.

Question 4

What is the feminist perspective on domestic violence?

Answer 4

Feminists argue that domestic violence is a result of patriarchy, where men exert dominance and power over women

This perspective highlights systemic issues in gender relations.

Question 5

What does the term ‘toxic masculinity’ refer to?

Answer 5

‘Toxic masculinity’ refers to the societal expectation for men to abuse women to demonstrate superiority and dominance

It critiques harmful behaviors associated with traditional male roles.

Question 6

What risks do men face regarding victimization?

Answer 6

Men are more likely to be victims of alcohol-fuelled fights due to spending more time in public spaces, especially at night

This highlights the relationship between social behavior and victimization.

Question 7

How does social class influence victimization?

Answer 7

Social class affects vulnerability to crime, with working-class individuals facing material deprivation that limits their ability to protect their homes

This can lead to higher rates of burglary.

Question 8

What is corporate crime?

Answer 8

Corporate crime involves companies cutting corners to increase profits, often at the expense of safety

An example is the Grenfell Tower fire, where inferior cladding was used.

Question 9

What types of crimes are common in gang culture?

Answer 9

Gang culture can lead to:
* Gang crime
* Racist assaults

Black youths may be more likely to be victims of stabbings or assaults in gang-related contexts.

Question 10

What are hate crimes?

Answer 10

Hate crimes are racist-fuelled attacks that target individuals based on their ethnicity

These crimes can result in severe violence, such as murder.

Question 11

What are honour killings?

Answer 11

Honour killings are culturally motivated murders, often involving family members killing a relative who is perceived to bring shame to the family

This can occur in situations where a person rejects an arranged marriage.

Question 12

How does age influence victimization?

Answer 12

Different age groups face unique vulnerabilities, such as:
* Young people being seen as easy targets for personal theft
* The elderly being targeted for fraud and personal theft

Children and the elderly are often seen as particularly vulnerable populations.

Question 13

What is the relationship between personal theft and youth?

Answer 13

Young people are often viewed as easy targets for personal theft, especially when distracted

For example, using a phone in public can make them susceptible to theft.

Question 14

How do scammers target the elderly?

Answer 14

Scammers often target the elderly with fraudulent schemes, such as prize-winning letters requesting bank details

This takes advantage of their vulnerability and lack of awareness of crime.

Question 15

What is the main argument of Critical Victimology?

Answer 15

Powerless groups are more likely to be victims of crime

It incorporates theories such as Feminism, Marxism, and Neo-Marxism.

Question 16

According to Feminists, what societal structure is blamed for victimization?

Answer 16

Patriarchy

Feminists argue that men use violence to exert power and control over women.

Question 17

What percentage of women in the UK suffer from domestic violence at some point in their lives?

Answer 17

One in four women

This statistic highlights the prevalence of domestic violence.

Question 18

How many women are murdered by their partners or ex-partners each week in the UK?

Answer 18

Two women

This statistic emphasizes the severity of domestic violence.

Question 19

What term describes when women become victims a second time while dealing with the police and courts?

Answer 19

Secondary victimisation

This occurs when victims are made to feel responsible for the crime.

Question 20

What is a significant barrier for women reporting crimes like rape?

Answer 20

Fears of secondary victimisation

Women may be reluctant to report due to the trauma of reliving the experience.

Question 21

What is the conviction rate for rape cases?

Answer 21

Only 7%

This highlights the challenges women face within the criminal justice system.

Question 22

According to Marxism, which social class is more likely to be victims of burglary and violent crime?

Answer 22

The working classes

Their poverty and material deprivation prevent them from securing their homes.

Question 23

What factors contribute to the vulnerability of the working class to violent crime?

Answer 23

Poverty, material deprivation, locality

These factors result in an inability to afford security measures.

Question 24

What do Right Realists argue about the working classes and crime?

Answer 24

They should have worked harder to protect themselves

This perspective places blame on the individuals rather than societal structures.

Question 25

What does Neo-Marxism agree with regarding crime victims?

Answer 25

Powerless groups are more likely to be victims of crime ## Footnote This includes the working class and ethnic minority groups.

Question 26

What is meant by 'the ideal victim' in Critical Victimology?

Answer 26

Powerless groups are denied victim status ## Footnote This concept critiques how victimhood is often assigned based on societal power dynamics.

Question 27

What do Marxists argue about the concept of the 'ideal victim'?

Answer 27

Agents of the state decide who is a victim, typically portraying an 'ideal victim' as white and female ## Footnote For example, an old white woman being harmed by a young black man.

Question 28

Who was Stephen Lawrence and how does his case relate to the 'ideal victim' concept?

Answer 28

Stephen Lawrence was a black teenager murdered by white racists; his case was not properly investigated, illustrating the failure of the justice system to recognize him as a victim ## Footnote The police assumed he was in a gang and treated his friend as a suspect.

Question 29

What do Neo-Marxists argue about victims of corporate crime?

Answer 29

They are often not seen as victims; corporate crimes are treated as 'accidents' rather than criminal acts ## Footnote This leads to a lack of criminal prosecution.

Question 30

What is an example of corporate crime mentioned in the text?

Answer 30

Failing to follow health and safety rules to increase profits ## Footnote Such crimes often result in regulatory inquiries rather than criminal charges.

Question 31

What incident is cited as an example of corporate manslaughter?

Answer 31

The Grenfell Tower fire ## Footnote Companies used inferior, flammable cladding to save costs.

Question 32

What types of harms did Grenfell residents experience?

Answer 32

Residents faced: * Physical harms (72 deaths, injuries) * Psychological harms (grief, survivor guilt) * Cultural and relational harms (loss of support networks) * Financial harms (extra costs due to displacement) ## Footnote Many survivors were from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Question 33

Why were Grenfell residents denied victim status?

Answer 33

The fire was seen as an 'accident', leading to an inquiry instead of criminal prosecution ## Footnote This obscures the responsibility of powerful companies.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: Neo-Marxists argue that corporate crimes committed by businesses are often perceived as _______.

Answer 34

'accidents' ## Footnote This perception prevents the acknowledgment of victims.

Question 35

True or False: The police were found to be institutionally racist in the investigation of Stephen Lawrence's murder.

Answer 35

True ## Footnote This reflects systemic issues in the criminal justice system.

Question 36

What would the New Right argue about the Grenfell incident?

Answer 36

The New Right would argue that Grenfell was not a crime and the inquiry is the right course of action. ## Footnote This perspective blames the residents for their situation in social housing.

Question 37

According to Positivist Victimology, who is responsible for crimes committed against victims?

Answer 37

Victims are responsible for the crimes committed against them. ## Footnote This perspective suggests that certain groups are more likely to be victims based on their characteristics.

Question 38

What are the two arguments of Positivist Victimology?

Answer 38

* Victim proneness * Victim precipitation

Question 39

Define victim proneness.

Answer 39

The social characteristics of some groups make them more likely to be victims of crime. ## Footnote For example, elderly people may be seen as vulnerable targets.

Question 40

Give an example of victim proneness.

Answer 40

The elderly are often seen as weak and vulnerable, making them targets for scams. ## Footnote Scammers may target them with fraudulent prize notifications.

Question 41

How might young women be considered victims due to their social characteristics?

Answer 41

Young women dressed in provocative clothing may be seen as inviting victimization, making them more likely to be victims of sexual assault or rape.

Question 42

What is victim-blaming in the context of victim proneness?

Answer 42

Victim-blaming suggests that it is the victim's fault for being victimized, which is criticized by feminists. ## Footnote This reinforces harmful societal views about responsibility in cases of sexual violence.

Question 43

Define victim precipitation.

Answer 43

The victim's actions trigger their victimization, making them more likely to be a victim. ## Footnote This concept is often discussed in relation to violent crimes.

Question 44

What is a limitation of the concept of victim precipitation?

Answer 44

It does not explain crimes that are unprovoked, such as robbery. ## Footnote For instance, a robbery occurs without any prior action from the victim.

Question 45

What is another limitation of victim precipitation?

Answer 45

It does not explain victimless crimes, such as using illegal drugs.

Question 46

True or False: Victim precipitation suggests that all victims are responsible for their victimization.

Answer 46

False