Chapter Three
Victims and Victimization
Criminology 9th edition
Larry J. Siegel
© 2003 Wadsworth Publishing Co.
Victimology
The study of crime victims
and their relationship
to the
criminal justice process.
Question
CAN SOCIETY BE A VICTIM OF CRIME?
IF SO, HOW?
The Problems of
Crime Victimization
Pain
and
Suffering
Fear
System
Abuse
Economic
Loss
Antisocial
Behavior
Questions
IN ADDITION TO PROPERTY LOSS, HOW DOES CRIME
AFFECT PRODUCTIVITY AND SOCIAL COSTS?
WHAT IS THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE?
Declining Crime Rates, 1973-2003
Property Crime Victimization Rates,
1973-2003
Violent Crime Victimization Rates,
1973-2003
The Nature of Victimization
Prior Victimization
Social Ecology
of
Victimization
?
The Victim’s
Household
Victim Characteristics:
Gender, Age, Race, Marital and Social Status
Violent Crime Rates
by Age of Victim
Violent Crime Rates
by Race of Victim
Questions
Does a person bear some of the responsibility for his
or her victimization, i.e. lifestyle?
Should we blame the victim?
Lowest Income Are More Likely
to be Victimized than
the More Affluent
Number of Violent Crimes per 1,000 persons age 12 or Older
Percent
Income Level
1999
2000
Change
Less than $7,500
57.5
60.3
4.9%
$7,500 - $14,999
44.5
37.8
-15.1%
$15,000-$24,999
35.3
31.8
-9.9%
$25,000-$34,999
37.9
29.8
-21.4%
$35,000-$49,999
30.3
28.5
-5.9%
$50,000-$74,999
33.3
23.7
-28.8%
$75,000 or more
22.9
22.3
-2.6%
Question
What factors predict
chronic victimization?
Three Specific Types of Characteristics
Increase the Potential for Victimization
Target
Vulnerability
Target
Antagonism
Target
Gratifiability
Theories of Victimization
Routine
Activities
Lifestyle
Theories
Deviant
Place
Victim
Precipitation
Questions
According to the victim precipitation perspective, what
is the difference between active
and passive precipitation?
Do you think that schools create a
“high risk” lifestyle for teenagers?
Are neighborhoods or individual characteristics more
important for determining victimization?
Routine Activity Theory
Felson & Cohen
Motivated
Lacks capable
guardians
offenders
CRIME
Suitable targets
The interaction of three factors!
The Opportunity Structure of Crime
The Government’s Response
to Crime Victims
6th Amendment, U.S. Constitution
In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and
public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime
shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained
by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be
confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his
defense.
Should the following be added to the Sixth Amendment?
“In every criminal prosecution, the victim shall have the right
to be present and to be heard
at all critical stages of the judicial proceedings.”
Victim Service Programs
Court
Services
Public
Education
Victim
Compensatio
n
Forms of
Victim Services
Crisis
Interventio
n
Victim-Offender
Reconciliation
Programs
Victims’
Bill of Rights
Questions
What is “target hardening?”
Do you think that self-protection in the form of citizen
firearm possession (defensive use)
is a reasonable victim prevention tactic?
What do studies show?
Do you think restorative justice is a legitimate answer
to victims and society?