victimology Flashcards
What does positivts victimology believe?
certain people more likely to be victims than others, patterns can be established. Miers- victims become victims because of their characteristics.
Von Hentig- claims that victims are guilty themselves of allowing or encouraging others to make them a victim (victim precipitation)
How can we challenge the positivists victimology?
theory relies on data from victim surveys which may x be entirely valid.
Theory ignores crimes like corporate and state.
idea of victim precipitation suggests victim is responsible.
What is critical victimology?
they agree w positivist’s that their are patterns of victimisation, however they believe that it is important to look at structural forces when explaining why certain groups more likely to experience crime.
Why might structural forces such as patriarchy and capitalism lead to crime?
capitalism- is criminogenic, people who experience economic deprivation turn to committing crimes like rape and violence
What do critical theorists also suggest its important to look at?
issue of class and how being victim much more problematic for the poor.
as it is harder to overcome and re-integrate back into society
cant afford correct resources like lawyers
What else do critical theorists also look at?
White collar, state and corporate crime. Kuazlarich- poorer victims of state crime have little chance of getting compensation
example- poor or lack of insurance of property from crime, police may stereotype them as troublemakers
What do critical theorists believe about the state?
state are unlikely to define people who die in police custody or people killed by military action as victims.
Walklate- looks at the way women are victims as less powerful individuals in society. Believe campaigning for victims can make a difference
How can we evaluate critical victimology?
requires a change in attitudes from all society, hard and unrealistic
draws attention to the way that “victim” status is contributed by power and how it benefits the powerful
Who are the victims?
primary- person to whom crime is directed
secondary- experience of reporting the crime, e.g.- rape victims domestic violence victims being made to feel guilty for their crimes and have behaviour scrutinised
indirect victimisation- ppl close to victim like friends or family, or people who witnessed crime being disturbed.
What proportion of homeless people suffered theft in 2004 and how did this compare to gen pop?
67% homeless compared to 1.9% adults
How can this be explained?
Mack and Hansley- poor people suffer more from victimisation, Marxist- w/c victims of crime as ruling class exploit them, part of their exploitation
Why are ethnic minority groups less likely to report crimes?
do x trust the police as they see them as being institutionally racist.
