Objectives

What is victimology?

Victim's Rights movement - recent legislation passed to protect the rights of victims

Victim characteristics - who gets victimized?

How do we explain victimization?

Victim's Rights Movement

1990 Crime Control Act

1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

1996 Megan's Laws - know the advantages and disadvantages

Social Dimensions of Victimization

What are the characteristics of a typical victim of crime? Are there differences by type of crime?

Theories of Victimization

Lifestyle theory

Routine Activities Theory - emphasizes the convergence of three factors

Attractive target

Motivated offender

Lack of capable guardian

Hot spots of crime

Equivalent Group Theory

Physical Proximity

How well do these theories explain the nature, extent and social dimensions of victimization in the U.S.?

Age, race, gender, social class, time, place, victim-offender relationship, weapons used, presence of alcohol

Victim Precipitation

A victim-precipitated incident is one in which the victim initiated the conflict/confrontation that led to their injury or death. The victim may or may not use a weapon.

Active: When victims act provocatively, use threats or fighting words, or even attack first.

Passive: When the victim exhibits some personal characteristic that unknowingly threatens or encourages the attacker.