1. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 1 Victimology: The Study of the Victim Chapter 4

2. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 2 Victimology Victimology is the study of victims and their contributory role, if any, in the criminal event.

3. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 3 Typology of Victims (Wolfgang & Sellin) ► Based on victim-offender relationships. 1. Primary victimization 2. Secondary victimization 3. Tertiary victimization 4. Mutual victimization 5. No victimization

4. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 4 Theories of Victimization Lifestyle model  The concept of lifestyle plays key role. Routine activities approach  Three key elements: motivated offender, suitable target, absence of guardian. Opportunity model  Victimization depends on people’s lifestyle and daily activities that bring them in contact with offenders.

5. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 5 Realities of Being a Victim Criminal victimization can result in:  Physical trauma  Financial loss  Psychological trauma  Post-crime or secondary victimization

6. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 6 Current Directions in Victimology and Victims’ Rights Criminal Injuries Compensation Act  First modern victim compensation statute  New Zealand in 1963 Canadian Criminal Injuries Compensation Plan  Created in Saskatchewan in 1967  Available in every province by 1988

7. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 7 Current Directions in Victimology and Victims’ Rights Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime An Act Respecting Victims of Crime – Victims’ Bill of Rights

8. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 8 Current Services for Victims ► Police-Based Services ► Crown/Court Based Services ► Victims and Corrections ► System-Based Services

9. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 9 Police-Based Victim Services ► Usually located in police departments. ► Provide victim support 24 hours a day. ► Services typically include:  Crisis intervention  Death notification  Investigation information  Assistance with compensation applications  Referrals

10. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 10 Crown/Court - Based Services ► Located within the courthouse. ► Work closely with Crown’s office. ► Emphasizes court preparation. ► Assists the victim/witness through the trial process. ► Victim/Witness Assistance Program  Crown/court based program in Ontario

11. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 11 Victims and Corrections ► Victims may attend parole hearings. ► Victim notification systems  Offender release dates  Changes to offender’s incarceration status

12. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 12 System-Based Services ► Coordinated delivery of victim services. ► Removes the need to deal with various parts of criminal justice system independently. ► Currently implemented in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

13. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 13 Victim Restitution ► Involves the payment of compensation to the victim. ► Can be ordered as a stand alone sentence or as part of another e.g. probation order. ► Victim surcharge

14. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 4- 14 Future Directions in Victimology Is there a need for a fundamental structural change away from an adversarial approach to our criminal justice system towards a restorative victims-centred approach before victims’ rights can be truly respected?