Exam 1 Flashcards
Woflfgang’s early Victimology Theories
He reported that 26% of homicides resulted from victim precipitation. Wolfgang identified three factors common to victim-precipitated homicides: (1) The victim and offender had some prior interpersonal relationship, (2) there was a series of escalating disagreements between the parties, and (3) the victim had consumed alcohol.
Amir’s Early Victimology Theories
On the basis of the details in the Philadelphia police rape records, Amir reported that 19% of all forcible rapes were victim precipitated by such factors as the use of alcohol by both parties; seductive actions by the victim; and the victim’s wearing of revealing clothing, which could tantalize the offender to the point of misreading the victim’s behavior. His work was criticized by the victim’s movement and the feminist movement as blaming the victim.
Victim Precipitation
Victim precipitation is a criminology theory that analyzes how a victim’s interaction with an offender may contribute to the crime being committed. The theory is most commonly associated with crimes like homicide, rape, assault, and robbery.
Franklin and Franklin (1976)critiques of victim precipitation
Four major assumptions behind the victim precipitation argument:
- victim precipitation assumes the behavior of the victim can explain the criminal act
- assumes the offender becomes active only when the victim gives certain signals
- a victims behavior is not necessary to influence a crime
- assumes that intent can be gauged by the incident
“Just world view”
The belief that crimes only happen to people that deserve them- can attribute to victim blaming
“Shared responsibility”
Victims as well as criminals could have done something wrong. There are different levels of this.
Mendelson
Completely innocent
minor guilt- inadvertently placing themselves in danger
As guilty as offender- was engaging in vice crimes and was hurt
More guilty than offender-victim provokes
Most guilty- started off as offender
Imaginary victim- pretending to be victim
Smith and Weis four broad questions
The study of the creation of definitions of victims by legal processes, everyday processes and scientific
processes.
2. The study of applications of the above definitions by control agents, significant others, community,
behavioural and social scientists, and the victim him or herself.
3. The study of societal response systems with victims such as crisis intervention, social services, police,
prevention, medical services and civil courts.
4. The study of the victim’s reaction
Mendelson’s five types of victims
a criminal one's self the social enviornment technology the natural enviornment
1984 victims of crime act
The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) is United States federal government legislation aimed at helping the victims of crime through means other than punishment of the criminal. It established the Crime Victim’s Fund, a scheme to compensate victims of crime.
How is the info for the UCR gathered?
Through crime reports directly from police stations
What are limits of the UCR?
Only gather crime reported to the police
Victim less crimes are not reported
Hierarchy rule, only most serious crime reported
NCVS- how is it gathered?
From homes via survey
NCVS disadvantages
Can go over or under reported due to shame
families move with no new address
people can get the dates wrong
UCR part 1
Aggravated assault, forcible rape, murder, and robbery
