2. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 1 Chapter 8 Violent Crimes “To all of us crime seems like violence” K. Menninger, ’68:157

3. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 2 Learning Objectives Recognize and be familiar with the major forms of violent crimes and the general trends of major violent crime types. Understand that an “absolute” explanation of violent crime causation is currently unavailable. Appreciate the importance of using crime data to understand violent crime trends and patterns, explain crime, and recommend social policy. Appreciate the importance of applying an integrated and interdisciplinary approach when using crime data. Appreciate the benefit of using comparative criminology to lend further insight into the study and control of violent crimes.

4. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 3 Introduction Media a barometer of public interest Violent crime a type of conventional crime Offences know to the police & public Traditional forms vs. ‘new forms’ of violence Involves emotional and/or physical harm of another person

5. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 4 Going Up? Increase or decreasing? (Table 8-1) Internationally rates generally lower (Box 8.3) – Why? Demographics, economics, homogeneity, legislation (guns), and social structures

6. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 5 Homicide Sec. 222 and four sub-categories: – 1 st degree – 2 nd degree – Manslaughter – Infanticide Rates steady over time with slight increase from 2001-2002 (Table 8-3) Etiology: escalating manslaughter rate vs. increasing number of males?

7. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 6 Why do people kill? Social interaction and conflict vs., Social disorganization and inequality, vs. Psychiatric disorders on the increase, vs. Biological factors…. Complexity of human behaviour Others?

8. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 7 Homicide Characteristics (2002) 90% cleared by charge laid 9% cleared accused committed suicide 84% someone known to the victim Over 70% those charged had consumed at time of offence, alcohol and/or drugs

9. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 8 Homicide and Method Stabbing and beating Table 8-5 Role of gun control legislation? (Marc Lepine) Role of capital punishment?

10. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 9 Sexual Assault Sec. 266 and 3 levels – Common assault – Degree of force or threatened force – Aggravated assault Recent changes to our laws Average sentences vs. potential range Social, economic, & political status; reporting patterns; Lobby groups, etc.

11. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 10 Sexual Assault Characteristics Role of alcohol Women under 18 yrs of age Acquaintance rape and date drugs (Box 8.1) Date rape drug = alcohol Influence of social attitudes and social policies Data still requires refinement

12. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 11 Consider… Does violence breed violence… – Parents and their off-spring? – Role of social learning model – Biological predisposition New forms: elderly abuse; adolescent sex offenders

13. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 12 Robbery “one of the most feared crimes common to large urban centres” Sec. 343… violence or property? Declining in recent years Popular target: – Commercial establishments – Private residence Role of a weapon

14. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 13 Etiology of Robbery “High” unemployment – Reduced opportunities Opportunistic vs. impulse robberies Rational choice theory Regular alcohol and/or drug use Robbery ‘double edged’ sword – loss of property and risk of injury Robin Hood phenomena

15. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 14 “New” Forms of Violence Abduction: – Kidnapping and hostage taking (sec. 280-283, & 179.1.) – Rate fluctuating – Contravening custody orders – Divorce and social problems Hate crime: – Sec. 318-320 – Typologies: Thrill-seeking; Reactive hate; Mission hate crimes

16. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 15 “New” Forms of Violence “culture conflict” Stalking : – Sec. 423(1) as of 1993 – Types of stalkers: Celebrity to scorned and political Cyberstalkers 1997 proposed new legislation

17. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 16 “New” Forms of Violence Terrorism: – NO specific section in the Criminal Code – Relative and evolutive concept “convictional criminal” Typologies: – Dichotomous vs. three-tiered model Control!? (FLQ, IRA, PLO, etc.)

18. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8 - 17 Summary Wide and varied in their methods and means Common denominator – element of violence Evolutive concept through societal change Descriptive information must be met with theoretical understanding Single disciplinary perspectives and legalistic approaches = limited