Lecture 4 Flashcards
Briefly characterize victimology as a field of knowledge.
Victimology is the study of victims, their experiences, and how society and the justice system respond to them. It examines the causes and consequences of victimization and explores ways to improve victim support and rights.
Why was the criminal justice system indifferent to victims of crime for a long period of time?
For a long time, the justice system focused mainly on punishing offenders rather than supporting victims. Victims were often treated as mere witnesses, with little recognition of their suffering or role in the legal process.
Define and describe the following concepts: direct victim, indirect victim, actual victim, vicarious victim.
A direct victim is someone directly harmed by a crime, such as a robbery or assault victim.
An indirect victim is affected emotionally or financially, like a victim’s family.
An actual victim is someone who has genuinely suffered from a crime
Vicarious victim is someone who experiences emotional distress from witnessing or learning about a crime.
Characterize Strobl’s Self and Other Victim Classification.
Strobl’s model explores how individuals identify as victims or how society labels them. Some people reject the victim label despite experiencing harm, while others are recognized as victims based on social or legal definitions.
How do we measure victimization? Identify the main difficulties.
Victimization is measured through police reports, victimization surveys, and self-reports. However, many crimes go unreported due to fear, shame, or distrust in the justice system, making it difficult to get accurate data.
Why are people reluctant to report victimization incidents to the police?
Many victims are reluctant to report crimes due to fear of retaliation, lack of trust in law enforcement, or feelings of shame. Others believe the crime is too minor to report or that the police won’t take action.
Describe the emotional reactions following victimization.
Victims may experience shock, fear, anger, guilt, or anxiety after a crime. Some suffer from long-term effects like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or difficulty trusting others.
Resilience and victimization: two types of protective mechanisms?
Personal resilience refers to an individual’s ability to cope with trauma through emotional strength and adaptability. Social resilience involves external support from family, friends, or professional counseling, helping victims recover from crime-related stress.
Characterize the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights guarantees victims the right to information, protection, participation, and restitution. It ensures that victims have a voice in the justice system and receive support throughout the legal process.
