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.