Chapter 3: Victims and Victimization

Question 1

Definition of Victimology

Answer 1

Scientific study of victims

Question 2

Problems of Crime Victims

Answer 2

They experience:

• economic loss
• system abuse
• long term stress (effects of abuse, PTSD, and physical disabilities)
• Fear (of reporting abuse, repeat attacks, not being taken seriously)
• Antisocial behaviour (victims more likely to commit crimes themselves)

Question 3

Nature and risks of Victimization

Answer 3

It’s not random, it depends on personal and ecological factors

risk of violent victimization is higher

• engagement of activities outside the home
• single
• in densely populated areas

Question 4

Nature of Victimization: Household

Answer 4

Low income households are greater risk for violent victimization
Having more than $60 000 as a household leads to greater risk of property theft
type of dwelling affects victimization

Question 5

Nature of Victimization: Gender

Answer 5

Females more likely to be victims of violent crime than men

88% of sexual assault victims are female

Question 6

Nature of Victimization: Age

Answer 6

Young people have greater victimization risk

Risk diminishes after age 30

Question 7

Victim Characteristics: Mental Health

Answer 7

Rates of victimization for those with MH challenges is 4x higher

Question 8

Victim Characteristics - Social Status

Answer 8

Poorest Canadians more likely victims of physical and sexual assault
Wealthy Canadians the most likely targets of theft crimes

Question 9

Victim Characteristics: Martial Status

Answer 9

never married, separated/divorced males and females have highest victimization risk
Widows/widowers lowered

Question 10

Victim Characteristics: Race and Ethnicity

Answer 10

Visible minorities more likely to experience hate crimes

Question 11

Repeat Victimization

Answer 11

If was a victim, higher likelihood of being a victim again

Factors of chronic victimization:
Target vulnerability- perceived as easy prey
Target gratifiability - target posses coveted quality or possession
Target antagonism - victim triggers or arouses destructive response

Question 12

Victims and Their Criminals (That sounds like a bad romance novel title)

Answer 12

Most violent crimes commited by
one offender
almost always male
aged 18-34

Most incidents, offender known to victim
robbery is the exception

Question 13

Victim Precipitation Theory

Answer 13

People may initiate the confrontation
Active precipitation- victim acts provocatively
Passive precipitation- victim exhibits some personal characteristics that unknowingly threatens or encourages offender

Question 14

Lifestyle theories

Answer 14

Crime not a random occurrence, but function of victim’s lifestyle
reduce victimization by changing lifestyle

Question 15

Deviant Place Theory

Answer 15

Victims are prone to victimization by living in socially disorganized, high crime areas
Neighborhood crime levels more important than individual characteristics

Question 16

Routine Activities Theory

Answer 16

volume and distribution of predatory crime related to interaction of three variables

• suitable targets
• absence of capable guardians
• motivated offenders

Question 17

Victim Service programs

Answer 17

Victim compensation
court services
public education
crisis intervention
victim-offender reconciliation programs

Question 18

Advocacy for Victims’ rights

Answer 18

Treat victims with courtesy and respect
Privacy of victims should be considered and respected
Minimize inconvenience
consider safety and security
provide information to victims