1. Victims, Communities & Society

2. Victims of Crime
Many theorists concentrate on the reasons for criminal behaviour
Some concentrate on the experiences of victims of crime
Young (2007) identifies 3 types of research on crime victims
Measurement research
Studies of the impact of crime
The role of victims in the criminal justice system

3. Measurement Research
This research examines the types and numbers of people who are victims of crime
The British Crime Survey provides statistical information that tells us who is most likely to be a victim of crime
Surprisingly, the group most at risk are young men aged 16 to 25

4. Who’s at risk of crime? Class Gender Males Age The Young Ethnicity
Walklate (2007) states that some people are more likely than others to become crime victims
She identifies 4 key factors: class, gender, age and ethnicity
Class
The poor, living in private, rented housing
Gender
Males
Age
The Young
Ethnicity
Minority groups

5. The Impact of Crime
This research focuses on particular types of crime such as domestic violence, burglary and stalking
Crime impacts on people in very different ways
Walklate(2007) states that the impact is more profound where victims experience crime routinely
Walklate calls this “Repeat victimisation”

6. The role of victims in the criminal justice system
Victims are increasingly involved in the criminal justice system
By reporting crime, providing evidence and acting as witnesses in court
Without this involvement, many crimes would go unpunished

7. The Impact on Communities and Society
One way that crime may impact on society is by generating a fear of crime.
Some groups in society are thought to be more of a risk than others
Sometimes the level of fear is not in proportion with the actual risk
Child abduction by strangers, for example is extremely rare but the general public are often reluctant to let their children play outside

8. People and communities are now expected to take more responsibility in protecting against crime
Crime can lead to people believing that their communities are breaking down
Over recent years in Britain there has been more emphasis on encouraging communities to fight crime in their locality

9. Summary
Identify 2 factors that influence the likelihood of being a victim of crime
Explain one limitation of victim surveys as a source of information about crime
Explain one way in which crime can impact on communities