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Week 2 - Media 3 - Understanding Crime Victimization and Theories

Mar 22, 2025

Lecture on Crime Victimization and Victimology

Definition and Patterns of Crime Victimization

  • Crime Victim: Injured or harmed by the criminal act of another.
  • Patterns:
    • Ecological factors:
      • Violent crimes more likely in public or commercial places (e.g., bars).
      • Night crimes include two-thirds of sexual assaults; day crimes include larcenies.
      • Seasonal variations: summer sees higher burglary, robbery, and sexual assault; fall sees higher assaults due to school.
      • Urban areas have higher victimization, especially in southern and western U.S.
    • Age patterns:
      • Juveniles higher risk for violent crimes.
      • Young children & elderly vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and economic crimes.
    • Sex and Race:
      • Males generally more victimized except for sexual assault (females 10 times more likely).
      • Blacks disproportionately at risk, with a murder rate six times higher than whites.
    • Other factors:
      • Disabilities increase risk.
      • Poverty, never married status, or prior victimization increase risk.

Victimization Theories

  • Benjamin Mendelsohn:

    • Defined victimology, recognizing victim's responsibility in victimization.
    • Categories from completely innocent to guiltiest.
  • Hans von Hentig:

    • Emphasized victim's role in victimization process based on traits.
  • Victim Precipitation Theory:

    • How victims contribute, knowingly or unknowingly, to their victimization.
  • Lifestyle Theories:

    • Risks from engaging in high-risk activities or living in certain environments.
  • Deviant Place Theory:

    • Victimization linked to living in high-crime neighborhoods.
  • Routine Activities Theory:

    • Crime occurs when a motivated offender meets a suitable target without a capable guardian.

Just World Hypothesis

  • Asserts people believe victims deserve what happened to them.
  • Victim blaming rationalizes crime away, offers false security.

Costs and Role of Victims in Criminal Justice

  • Costs of Victimization:

    • Societal cost: e.g., murder estimated at $9 million.
    • Individual costs: mental distress, physical injuries, property loss, lost income.
  • Victims in the Criminal Justice System:

    • Often sidelined, with the system focusing on the offender.
    • Secondary victimization through complex and taxing processes.
    • Traditional process sees crime as a violation against the state, not the individual.
  • Challenges in the System:

    • Victims face additional costs: transport, waiting times, threatened by offenders.
    • Many victims avoid the system due to perceived inefficacy, fear of retaliation, or embarrassment.

Conclusion

  • Improvements in victims' rights and participation have been seen, but challenges remain.
  • Awareness of ongoing challenges is essential to support victims better.