Victims and Victimology Level of Victimization Profile of a “Crime Victim” Theories of Victimization Effects of Victimization

The Emergence of Victimology Until the 1960s, offenders were studied almost exclusively What changed? From the Liberal Perspective Feminist Movement (rape, intimate violence) “From the Conservative Perspective Law and Order” concerns (Dirty Harry) The NCVS

Defining “Crime Victims” Focus almost exclusively on “Street” crimes NCVS Can we generalize what we know about street crime to white collar crime (e.g., Enron Victims)?

Profile of Victims Where do crimes tend to take place? Who tends to be victimized? Age, Race, Gender, Social Class Victim-Offender relationships NOTE: THERE TEND TO BE EXCEPTIONS BASED ON TYPE OF CRIME

The General “Where” In U.S., West has highest violent and property crime rates, NE lowest Different from UCR (South higher in UCR, and Midwest lower) Urban, Suburban, Rural (property and violent) Certain neighborhoods Hot Spots

NCVS: VIOLENT OFFESNES

What Demographic Characteristics are Related to Victimization? Gender (Female less than male) However, rape and intimate violence exceptions Social Status Lower social status more likely to be victims, but... Age Younger more likely to be victimized Race/Ethnicity Blacks more likely to be victimized

Age and Violent Victimization

Gender and Violent Victimization

Age, Race, and Gender Homicide Victimization, 1997

Victim-Offender Relationships Crime tends to be intra-racial rather than inter-racial Myth of Black crimes against whites In violent crimes, the victim is at least “well known” to the offender in 40% of the cases. Much less often in property cases

Theories of Victimization Explain who gets victimized and/or why Lifestyle Theories/Routine Activities Theory Deviant Lifestyles (Equivalence Hypothesis) Physical Proximity Victim Precipitation

Lifestyle Theories To predict “direct predatory crime” Routine Activities Theory: The convergence in time and space of: Motivated Offenders Suitable Targets Lack of Capable Guardianship

Deviant Lifestyle The Equivalence Hypothesis Offenders and Victims are the same “group” of folks harming each other Chance of being murdered greater for youths who are members of gangs College students more vulnerable to victimization if they report smoking weed and threatening others

Physical Proximity Live in or near a “high crime” area Independent of “lifestyle”

Victim Precipitation? Active (e.g., take the first swing) vs. Passive Wolfgang homicide study Rape? Difference between empirical documentation and normative statements Empirical facts do not “excuse” or justify

Immediate Problems of Crime Victims Financial Loss Property Wages Medical Expenses Physical and Emotional Pain Depression, PTSS… Double Victimization

Latest Victim Oriented Movement: Restorative Justice Basic Principles of RJ The Purpose of the Criminal Justice System should be “restoration” The Victim and the Community Should be Involved in the Process Crime control lies in community, not CJS Crime is an act against person/community Punishment alone is ineffective Other ways to “hold accountable”

Restorative Justice in Practice Victim Offender Mediation Family Group Conferencing Peacemaking/Sentencing Circles Reparative Community Boards Restitution Programs

Restorative Justice: Reasons to be Skeptical? How badly does the “community” want to participate? How badly to victims want to participate? Is retribution always a bad thing? Can all victims be “restored”?