victimology Flashcards
victimology
focuses on relationship between victims and perpetrators of crimes, against the backdrop of social institutions such as the criminal justice system
victimization surveys
Asks if you have been a victim of crime, your experience, how CJS delt with their case
Social & demographic details
How to differentiate between victims and non-victims of crime
Identify those likely of being a victim of crime
VAWS - violence against women survey
examines womens’ safety inside & outside the home. focuses on issues such as sexual harassment, sexual and physical violence, perception to fear
according to VAWS, what % of women reported they had experienced at least one incident of violence since the age of 16?
50%
indigenous women are ___ more likely to be victimized through assault with a weapon, beating or strangulation, threats involving a firearm or knife, or by being forced into committing sexual acts
2x
victim characteristics: indigenous
- victimization of Indigenous peoples within families is disproportionately higher
- Indigenous women more likely to experience physical & sexual abuse by a partner; abuse is more violent
which age group has the highest rates of victimization across all major categories? (sa, robbery, assault, and theft) and why?
ages 15-24 because they are more likely to engage in higher risk activities, out at night more, etc.
which group has the lowest rates of victimization across all major categories?
ages 65 and over
women in canada are more likely to be victims of which two types of crimes?
sexual assault and theft
men are likely to be victims of which two types of crimes?
robbery and assault
household incomes over ___ are more likely to have their homes vandalized or broken into
$100 000
when women commit intimate partner violence, they are more likely to use ____. why?
a weapon, because men have size advantage and they are trying to use the weapon as an equalizer to gain more power and advantage
LGBT+ individuals experience victimization at a rate ___ higher than heterosexuals
2.5x
____ and ___ are more likely to be street checked
indigenous women and black people
secondary victimization
the further victimization not directly from the criminal act but through responses of individuals/institutions
why is spousal violence dramatically underreported to the police?
Shame, dynamics of relationship, fear of retaliation or violence increasing
victimology theories
developed in the late 1970s, moved focus away from the role of victim characteristics
lifestyle theory
The theory that some people experience a greater risk of being victims of crime because of their lifestyle habits and patterns of behaviour
- equivalent group hypothesis, proximity hypothesis, deviant place hypothesis
routine activity theory
nature or pattern of routine social interaction contributes significantly to the volume and type of crime found in society. Risk of victimization is greatest for people whose routine (daily activities) brings them and/or their property in contact with motivated offender(s) or into the absense of capable guardian(s)
according to routine activity theory, the risk of victimization increases when there is:
motivated offender(s), suitable targets, and a lack of capable guardian(s)
bullying
assertion of power through a form of aggression, acquire power over victim physically, emotionally, and socially
bullying differences between older and younger kids
older: more indirect bullying (exclusion, ostracizing); more likely to be victims of students of similar age
younger: more direct bullying (physical); more likely to be victims of older students
other bullying statistics (3)
- peaks at 17-24 then there is a decrease in offending behaviour
- boys and girls equally likely to report being victimized
- 1/3 canadian youth report bullying in recent past; 10% report being victims on daily basis
how to address bullying
intervene with more serious bullying
address attitudes, behaviours, and intrapersonal and emotional skills of all involved
involving parents, school system, educational system, larger community into initiative
benefits of victimization surveys
offer insight into extent, distribution, and impact of crimes, the risk of victimization, and victim perception of functioning & effectiveness of the CJS
statistics on reporting IPV
men report IPV far less than women; reporting IPV runs risk of societal stigma, secondary victimization, further assault by partner, and negative implications for children and family stability
marital status victimization statistics
marriage and childbearing turning points in life decrease the risk of criminality and victimization. higher violent victimization rates for single people and those in common law relationships than those married
repeat victimization statistics
25% victims of violence were repeat victims
the best predictor of future victimization is past victimization
4% of victims experience 44% of offences
victim precipitation theory
theory that some people make themselves targets for victimization through their actions or inaction
equivalent groups hypothesis (derived from lifestyle theory)
suggests the offender and victim share certain characteristics (typically close in age)
proximity hypothesis (derived from lifestyle theory)
suggests some people place themselves at high risk by choosing a high-risk lifestyle. they do not actively encourage their own victimization but make bad choices
deviant place hypothesis (derived from lifestyle theory)
asserts that some areas are simply more conductive to criminal activity than others (bus stop at night close to nightclubs and gang activity)
restitution
requiring an offender who has been found guilty to financially compensate victims for their losses resulting from the offender’s crime
compensation
payments made directly by the state to victims to compensate for financial and non-financial losses such as pain and suffering
