Michelle PalaroCriminology 81-220-1

Fall 2014

Chapter 3 –Victims and Victimization

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• Victimology– The study of the victim’s role in

criminal events

• Victimologists– Criminologists who focus on the

victims of crime

The Victim’s Role

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• Economic Loss– System costs– Individual costs

• Costs related directly to the victim

• Costs related indirectly to victim or society

• Intangible costs

Victimization’s Cost to Society

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Victimization’s Cost to Society

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Class Discussion/Activity

Should victims of assault should receive financial compensation for their pains suffered, including medical bills, psychological counseling, reimbursement for wages, etc? •What other costs would you expect if you were assaulted and unable to work for several months?

•Who should pay for it?

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• Blaming the Victim• Long-Term Stress

– PTSD– Adolescent stress– Relationship stress

• Fear• Antisocial Behavior

– Cycle of Violence

Victimization’s Cost to Society

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• The Social Ecology of Victimization– Violent crimes

•More likely in: Public areas Commercial establishments

– Crime in Schools

The Nature of Victimization

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• The Victim’s Household– Larger– African American– Western– Urban

The Nature of Victimization

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• Victim Characteristics – Gender– Age– Social status – Race/Ethnicity– Marital Status– Repeat Victimization

The Nature of Victimization

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• Policies and Issues in Criminology: Elder Victims – Older adults face high risks of financial,

physical, and psychological abuse– These abuses often go undetected (32%

reported)– Family members or caregivers are often

the perpetrators (76%)– Rapidly increasing elder population has

potential for increase in frequency of incidents of abuse

The Nature of Victimization

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• Victims and Their Criminals – Males are more likely to be

victimized by a stranger– Females are more likely to be

victimized by a relative or acquaintance

– Crimes tend to be intra-racial

The Nature of Victimization

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Class Discussion/Activity

Discuss some of the reasons why males are more likely to be victimized by a stranger and females are more likely to be victimized by someone they know.

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• Victim Precipitation Theory– Active precipitation– Passive precipitation– Victim Impulsivity

Theories of Victimization

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• Lifestyle Theories– High-Risk Lifestyles– College Lifestyle– Criminal Lifestyle– Victim or Criminal?

• Deviant Place Theory– Honor codes

Theories of Victimization

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• Routine Activities Theory– Suitable targets– Capable guardians– Motivated offenders– Crime and everyday life routine– Research support– Routine activities and lifestyle

Theories of Victimization

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Theories of Victimization

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Theories of Victimization

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• Victim Service Programs– Victim-Witness assistance programs – Victim compensation– Victim advocates – Victim impact statements (VSIs)– Public education – Crisis intervention – Victim-Offender reconciliation programs (VORP)– Victim notification– Legal protection for victims

Caring for the Victim

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• Victims’ Rights (Bill of Rights)– The right to be notified of proceedings and the

status of the defendant

– The right to be present at criminal justice proceedings

– The right to make a statement at sentencing and to receive restitution from a convicted offender

– The right to be consulted before a case is dismissed or a plea bargain entered

– The right to a speedy trial

– The right to keep the victim’s information confidential

Caring for the Victim

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Class Discussion/Activity

Discuss the opportunities victims have to participate in the Criminal Justice System.

•Should victim’s rights be expanded?

•If yes, what rights do you think victims should have?

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• Self-protection– Fighting back– Using firearms– Offender registration

Caring for the Victim

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• Timmendequas had a prior conviction and prison term for sexual assault on a child

• Timmendequas sexually assaulted and murdered 7-year-old Megan Kanka

• Highly publicized case led to enactment of Sex Offender Registration Act (Megan’s Law)

• Offender must register with local police• Offender must notify police when he

moves• Many other states duplicated this law

Policies in Crime: Jesse Timmendequas and Megan’s Law