1 Victims and Victimology Basic Questions/Data Gathering Effects of Victimization Theories of Victimization

2 The Level and Cost of Victimization 37 million criminal37 million criminal incidents (1996) incidents (1996) Including estimates of non-NCVS crimes, 49 millionIncluding estimates of non-NCVS crimes, 49 million Cost: $450 billion?Cost: $450 billion? 37 million criminal37 million criminal incidents (1996) incidents (1996) Including estimates of non-NCVS crimes, 49 millionIncluding estimates of non-NCVS crimes, 49 million Cost: $450 billion?Cost: $450 billion?

3 How do we know the “cost” of crime? Tangible Costs To Victim To Society Intangible Costs To Victim To Society

4 Estimating victim loss through jury awards Looking only at cases that go to civil (tort) court Are these a representative sample of “complete” and “incomplete” crime? Think of the “typical” assault. Is it worth $9,350? PROBLEM: use of this data to justify the expense of prison

5 Immediate Problems of Crime Victims Financial Loss Property Wages Medical Expenses Physical and Emotional Pain

6 Post-Victimization Suffering “Double Victimization” “Double Victimization” Intensive questioning by police Intensive questioning by police What is going on in the case? What is going on in the case? Property is often kept for a long time Property is often kept for a long time Psychological Harm Psychological Harm Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear, antisocial behaviors Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear, antisocial behaviors

7 Where do Victimizations Take Place? Urban areas (more than rural) Certain neighborhoods (and areas within these neighborhoods) Open, public areas and businesses

8 What Demographic Characteristics are Related to Victimization? Gender Social Status Marital Status Age Race/Ethnicity

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

10 Theories of Victimization Explain who gets victimized and/or why Victim Precipitation theory Lifestyle Theories Routine Activities Theory

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

12 Lifestyle Theories All of these designed to explain the correlates of victimization High Risk Lifestyle Equivalent Group Hypothesis Proximity Hypothesis

13 Routine Activities Theory To predict “direct predatory crime” The convergence in time and space of: Motivated Offenders Suitable Targets Lack of Capable Guardianship Usually assume presence of offenders