Part One Flashcards
Crime
“More indicative of a subject-objet relation than of the perpetrator alone”
Victimology
“The scientific study of the EXTENT, NATURE, and CAUSES of criminal victimization, its consequences for the persons involved, and the reactions from society
•Police/CJS, voluntary workers and professional helpers
Involves:
•Study of victims of particular offender
•Analysis of victim characteristics
•Victim profiling (Holmes & Holmes 1996)
Why Study Victims
1) Traditionally been neglected
2) Prevention strategies
3) “One of the most beneficial tools in classifying and solving VIOLENT crime” (Douglas, 1992)
Antisocial Behaviour and the Cycle of Violence
Growing evidence that crime victims are more likely to commit crime
•Ex: being abused/neglected as a child increases the odds of being arrested in youth and adulthood
History of Victimization Surveys
Problem: official stats of crime was often undercoded
Original Objective: count the dark figure of crime to:
•Determine who’s experienced SA
•Provide estimation of hidden victimization
Not originally concerned with victims until the feminist movement (SA shift)
Victimization Surveys (Current)
•Provide information on the aftermath of their victimization
•Assess the CJS response to the victim
•Measures fear of crime levels
Pros:
•Estimates the distribution and impact of selected crimes
•Assesses risk of victimization
•Assesses victims perception of CJS effectiveness
Cons:
•Return on time and money
•Possible backlash
•Middle class Bias
•Standardization (misunderstanding crime)
Victimization Characteristics
Age: young
Gender: female (crime type dependent)
Social Status: poor areas
Marital Satus: not married
Victim Precipitation Theory
Mendelsohn & Von Hentig (1948)
People’s actions target themselves for potential victimization
•Being active and triggering attacks
•Not supported by empirical data
•Hertig’s Victim Typology (13 types)
Lifestyle Model
Hindeland
Risk of victimization is correlated to lifestyle (more active and social = more risk)
Equivalent Group Hypothesis:
•Offender and victim are similar in SES
•Ex: black on black violence
Proximity Hypothesis:
•Offender and victim are similar in social space
•Ex: Drug user and dealers
Deviant Place Hypothesis:
•Offender and victim are similar in geographic space
•Ex: high crime areas (bouncer, gas stations)
Routine Activities Theory
The following increase the likelihood of crime:
•Lack of capable guardians (police, homeowners, security systems)
•Motivated offenders (teenage boys, unemployed, the addicted)
•Suitable targets (unlocked homes, certain cars, transportable goods)
Predictions Based on Victimization Theories
People increase their risk of victimization if they:
•Live in high-crime areas
•Go out late
•Risky behaviour (drinking)
•Carry valuables
•Are without friends/family for protection
Geographic Profiling
Using characteristics of victims and working backwards
• Used with serial killers (blonde teens)
•Offender as focal point: most criminal acts are committed close to home/in familiar territory
•Hot zone vs buffer zone
•Can use mathematical formulas
Violent Crimes
Crime involving bodily harm
•Ex: robbery, sexual assault, murder (homicide)
Homicide
Causes the death of a human being
•Culpable: murder, manslaughter or infanticide deserving blame with different degrees
•Non-culpable: self defence/defending vulnerable others
Homicide Statistics
Canada: 611 cases in 2016 (0.1% of all violent crimes)
•Decreasing
Relatively low internationally
