Victimology Until the 1980’s the sociology of crime and deviance focused mainly on the causes of crime and measuring its incidence – victims were virtually ignored

Victimology Criminal stats and the complex picture of victims of crime Until the 1980’s sociology focused on how much crime there was and who caused it Recently more attention has been given to victims The stats may give a clearer picture of some victims - street crimes and hide others - domestic violence

Victimology Sandra Walklate 1995 identifies 2 approaches to the study of victims:- Positivist Victimology and Realistist Victimology. She says that to claim the legitimate status of ‘victim’, innocence must be shown. Sometimes the victim is clear – old lady mugged by 2 teenagers – sometimes it isn’t – old man shoots a teenager burglar in his house.

Victimology Positivist Victimology - focus on stats The BCS (1982) said that a statistically average 16 or over can expect:- an assault leading to injury - once every century your car to be stolen once every 60 years a burglary at home - once every 40 years I.e. the risk of crime is not so great Media sensationalise sex and rape cases and amplify their incidence

Victimology Positivist Victimology You are more likely to die from the effects of smoking, drinking etc than crime Risks are evenly distributed through the population Most likely victim of crime is a single male under 30

Victimology Realist Victimology - Walklate suggests 3 differences between realist and positivist victimology Realsit vicimology - 1. Focuses on ‘problems as people experience them’ Young Is committed to examining age,gender and class variables 3. Uses local victimization surveys to develop a picture of crime in an area

Victimology Realist Victimology - Local surveys conflict with national stats They show crime is not a rare occurrence The poor suffer more than the wealthy Fear of crime is a real experience for many

Victimology Evaluation Of Positivist and Realist Victimology There are clear differences between the 2 approaches. British Crime Studies show us that the risk of becoming a victim of crime is not great…as Nick Ross tells us ‘sleep well’. The media promotes a ‘fear’ of crime via its sensationalising of stories. The realists argue that this is too convenient an explanation and that some groups – the vulnerable (poor, women, ethnic minorities etc.) are greatly affected by crime. Crime affects people unequally

Official Crime Statistics The sensational reporting of crime often masks the reality behind the stories. However the area of crime statistics is full of problems. Crime stats are often compared to an iceberg – only about 10% is visible. The under sea bit – the hidden or dark area of crime has long interested sociologists

Official Crime Statistics Factors Affecting The Crime Stats 1. Increase in Population Less young people now - street robbery and violence have gone down 2. More Laws To Be Broken More car laws, seat belts, tyres etc - therefore more car related crime 3. More Police With Increased Technological support More Police = more criminals caught Police admit to only dealing with 10% of crime - iceberg analogy

Official Crime Statistics Interactionists argue that crime stats tell us little about the real crime rate as they are ‘social creations’. They are the result of the decisions made by the police – which crimes to pursue – sentencing in courts – who gets ‘off’ and the willingness or not to report crimes in the first place.

Official Crime Statistics Reasons For Not Reporting Crimes (in rank order) 1. Too Trivial Don’t want to bother Police - 2. Police Could Do Nothing Can’t bring a stolen item back - unless the item is insured 3. Dealt with Matter ‘Ourselves’ Especially in some family matters and ‘closed’ communities 4. Police Would Not Be Interested Neighbour disputes

Official Crime Statistics Reasons For Not Reporting Crimes (in rank order) 5. Reported To Other Authorities Eg noise to the local council 6. Inconvenient White collar crime in organisations 7. Fear Of Reprisals Revenge attacks etc. always the case on the Jasmine Allen in ‘The Bill’ 8. Distrust Police Especially in some areas

New Dimensions – Postmodernism The sociology of deviance has evolved through a number of stages - from seeing the deviant as different to a more relative view. Theoretically this shift has been from positivism to interpretivism to realism. Avoid pigeon holing in your exam answers as these approaches are not all dead and buried and some researchers combine elements of each.

New Dimensions – Postmodernism Postmodenists concentrate on diversity and the wider acceptance of many things which were in the past taboo areas. Homosexuality, single parenting, multiculturalism etc are increasingly accepted as alternative lifestyles and not deviance

New Dimensions – Postmodernism Others however argue against this and say that although such high profile homosexuals as Elton John are accepted – grass roots gays still suffer labelling and prejudice. Single parents are now accepted at Royal level but those in lower socio-econ groups still fight the deviant label and attacks of New Right thinkers