victimology Flashcards
what is vicimtology ?
it is the study of victims
what is a victim by definition ?
originates from the term ‘victima’ first appeared in 1497. originally meant sacrifice to deity or performance of religious nite. FIRST APPLIED TO Jesus Christ.
what is a bad victim?
those who do not meet our expectations- people we wouldn’t be sympathetic about (ex/ prostitute raped)
what is the code of hammurbi?
eye for an eye, is often mistakenly considered justification for revenge when in fact it introduced limits on retaliation.
” the golden age of victims”?
victim and families had an important role to play in cj system. victim and offender on equal footing.
today, the criminal justice system process involves 3, which are?
the judge, the state and the defendant .
in civil law suits, the victims and offenders are on equal footing. civil courts do not do prison. its expensive.
civil litigation fails to provide victims with the same level of public recognition and validation as the criminal courts . big burden on victims.
what is the Magna Carta?
it is the first known draft in response to the tyranny of king John. effort to stop the power of kind and protect individual freedom.
what is an ideal victim?
someone vulnerable, doing something respectful , victimized by stranger,
the creation of the crown prosecutor did what to the victim?
displaced the victim from legal proceedings .
BECCARIA?
“rule of law “ wrote a critique that people should be punished in the same way independent of the poverty or wealth of the offender.
Willem Nagels?
one of the first well known studies to systematically examine crime victims (1937) , conducted interviews with victims of crime to understand their perception and need. but wasn’t published in English, so not the best known.
ONE OF THE FIRST STUDIES ON CRIMINOLOGY
Hans Van Henting?
often RECOGNIZED as one of the first studies in victimology . his book THE CRIMNAL AND HIS VICTIMS examined the relationship between criminal and victim. . his interest was solely criminological .he wanted to study victims to understand crime and criminals.
Frederic Wertham?
was the FIRST one to use the word victimology. but he also viewed victims as a way to study crime.
bENJAMIN MEDELSOHN?
played a role in developing victimology as its own discipline. provides detail and DETAILED definition of victimology and argues for a new creation of science that is independent of criminology. argued that society had forgotten about victims. *** important *
Stephen Schafer?
wrote the first textbook written on victimology “ the victim and his criminal”
what are the 5 approaches to victimology?
penal victimology, general victimology, human rights approach, positivist vicimology, critical victimology.
what does penal victimology focus on ?
understanding the crime, considers victimology as a branch of criminology and its focus on victims of crime. . criminal code sets the agenda.
what does general victimology entail?
includes victims of all types, including victims of accidents and natural disasters. inclusive and does not exclude any victims. blurs science a little, as everyone is a victim. invdidualistic. (excludes natural disasters. )
what does the human rights approach entail?
considers victims of crime as well as those who are victims of abuses by of power by the state. focuses on human made victimization , including genocide, torture, slavery.
the victims movement?
strove to improve the flight of the crime victim. (1970s) did not not not involve demonstrations by crime victims, led by academics. why did it happen? high crime rates and questioning the status quo.
which country was the first vicitmization survey conducted?
USA
what is the dark number of crime ?
the number of crimes not reported to the police- in fear of retaliation.
why weren’t feminists impressed with Wolfgangs or Mendholms typologies?
they were victim blaming.
what is Megans law?
requires authorities to make info available to the public about registered sex offenders.
what does critical victimology entail?
“radical victimology” in 1983. questions of power. victim/offender dichotomy . the roll of the victim.
the womens movement?
addressed victim blaming, violence against women. addressed just world beliefs- you deserved that because you did something to prompt it. late 1960/70s.
political activism?
crime victims started to emerge in late1970s. bring attention to legal system / victimization. resulted in the creation of the government offices.
what is Carceral Feminism ?
coined by Bernsten (2012) to refer to “ the cultural and political formation in which previous generations, justice and liberal struggles are recast into carceral terms. longer sentences will resolve issues. protects young women but also hurts them.
what is methodology?
the “how” a researcher systematically designs a study to ensure a valid and reliable findings. the methodology justifies the research design.
what Is research methods?
the methods chosen to answer the research q.
what are the two types of data?
primary data; collected by the researcher, and secondary data; drawn from already completed work by other researchers, newspapers, studying texts.
what is the history of victimization surveys?
first deleveoped in 1960’s . it was a way to measure crime. wanted to capture the dark figure of crime that no one was reporting. Canada introduced the GSS in 1982.
how do you measure victimization rate?
victimization rate= #of victimizations experienced by the specific pop. (divided) by # of persons in the specified pop x1,000
what are the 8 types of crime that the GSS focuses on?
- sexual assault 2. robbery 3. physical assault 4. b & e 5. mottos vehicle theft 6. theft of personal property 7. theft of household property 8. vandalism ( carried out every 4-5 years)
what is the prevalence rate?
it is based on the # of individuals in the population who experienced at least one VICTIMIZATION.
what is poly victimization ?
identify those individuals who experience multiple (3 or more) types of victimization. research on multiple victimizations began in the 90s. asks why sometimes victimizations a single event for some and others a chronic experience.
What is the International Crime Victims Survey? (ICVS)
- a WAY TO monitor volume of victimization /perception of crime. also a way to see the attitude towards the cj system. compares on an international level. but its based on smaller sample sizes. includes 10 diff. types of victimization.
What is methodology?
the “how” a researcher systematically designs a study to ensure valid and reliable findings.
what is research methods?
the methods chose to answer the research q.
THE GSS? ( GENERAL SOCIAL SURVEY)
Administered by stats Canada. Research is used to guide social policy. 2 primary objectives- gather info on social trends to monitor changes in living conditions/ well being of Canadians and provide info on specific social policy issues or emerging interest. TERRITORIES are included in the survey. In 2019, added internet victimization and gender identity and expression .
what are some Victimization survey benefits?
includes crimes not reported by police
provides a “voice” for victims
identifies social factors that contribute to crime
can change trust/attitude toward police.
what are some negative/ disadvantages of victimization surveys?
only available in English/French
cannot generalize ppl living on reserves
only include a few types of victimization (excludes homicide/ white collar crime)
excludes certain types of groups (children))
subjective
exaggeration/ under estimation can happen
what makes you more at “risk” for victimization?
being younger (18-24) , over age of 30 risk drops women more likely to be victims of violent crime, especially if indigenous history of homelessness low social cohersion identify as LGBTQ minorities being single students have a higher rate going out in the evening
what is theoretical victimology?
used to explain the differential risks of victimization and the skewed distribution of victimization
what the the two broad revictimization categories?
risk heterogity - “flag theory” suggests that victims have some enduring characteristics or behaviours that repeatedly place them at risk for victimization (ex/ age, poverty, lifestyle) explains initial and subsequent victmiization
state dependence- ‘ event dependence / boost theory’ assumes that there is nothing to distinguish victims from non victims b4 the initial victimization, but, the initial victimization may boost the probability of continuing victimization
what is life course theory?
methodological and theoretical approach to data collection.
longitudiual study
looks at how chronically age, relationships, common life transitions, and social change shape peoples lives birth to death
assists researchers to better understand polyvictimization.
what is just world belief theory?
more common theory in psych and social psych.
people tend to believe the world is just and safe place. the belief that one individuals action will cause them to “ get what they deserve and deserve what they get”
JWB makes the world seem prediticble and manageable
JWB kind of like victim blaming.
what is exposure theory?
examines the environment victims are exposed to. identify what makes a target more vulnerable or attractive within such contexts.
characterized by mundane, opportunistic and rational actors rather than mindless actors.
what are the 3 exposure theories?
rational choice theory, routine activity theory, opportunity theory
explain rational choice theory?
a part of exposure theory
assumes that rationality is relative and subjective
offenders rationalize their behaviours by redefining it or minimizing the victims suffering.
target election important- not random / rationale
explain opportunity theory?
emphasizes opportunities for crime. focusing on the characteristics of the situation or the environment in which crime takes place rather than the offenders characteristics .
focuses on availability on potential targets.
explain routine activity theory?
assumes that there are 3 factors necessary for a crime to occur;
1) the presence of a motivated offender
2) the presence of a suitable target and;
3) the absence of a palpable guardian.
explain what strain theory is?
developed to understand criminal behaviour.
the accumulation of strains or stressors increases the likelihood of negative emotions like anger or frustration.
crime could be a possible way of reducing stress.
what are 4 pathways to polyvictimization?
dangerous community - bad area means stress
dangerous family- starts w/ violence at home
family problems- kids not monitored
symptomatic child- more on child, less on environment
explain critical victimology; feminist/ queer perspective?
critique of the mainstream perspectives, focus too narrowly on the individual actors.
analyze gender, including sexuality and reproduction- construction of femininity and mesculininity.
fail to examine the role of the state; such as social structures that can contribute and produce violence against particular people.
what is hemegmonic masculinity?
a hierarchy of gendered power that privileges certain masculinity’s over others. men are expected to “do gender” and have their performances of masculinity validated by other social actors. femiminity is regarded as subordinate.
explain VIS
victim participation is limited to that of a witness.
VIS first introduced in cali, 1974.
it has a format/ can be cross examined.
limited to time of sentencing.
VIS appeared in criminal code first time “victim” appeared in the code.
what contributed to the introduction of the victims rights in Canada?
victim cooperation with authorities lacked so they introduced the victim friendly policies in the 1980s
declaring rights for victims to info, participation, reparation, and support.
what are the 4 typologies of victims?
direct victims (you) indirect victims (family) tertiary victim (community) secondary victim (police/ witness/ ambulance)
describe ASD
symptoms lasting only from two days to less than a month.
triggered by traumatic experiences.
describe PTSD
lasts longer than a month.
first introduced by the American psychiatric association in 1980. which was a milestone as the first time professionals recognized the traumatic effects of criminal victimization.
based off 4 categories- intrusion, avoidance, negative altercations and altercations in arousal and reactivity.
explain the 4 steps of recovery after victimization?
- pre victimization
- the victimization
- transition
- re-organization
what are tangible loses/ intangible ?
tangible = lost/ damaged property / medical intangible= psychological pain and suffering
what is neoliberalism?
reliance on the principles of free market force, belief in non regulatory government and individual responsibility. reduce/ eliminated funding for social supports. gained traction in 1970s. (welfare state) funding cuts.
market university as a “brand” .
higher tuition fees, lower public $
what is intersectionality?
coined by Kimberle Crenshaw
refer to the differential experiences, social context and policy of individuals based upon the intersections of race, gender and class.
what is carceral feminism?
the mobilization of the criminal legal system to respond to gendered violence. a focus on surveillance, arrest and incarceration. most often results in an over-policing and over resprestation of marginalized populations.
what is over representation in prairie region for women in jails?
women are overrepresented in jails , indigenous. this is linked to the social history of residential schools, forced adoption , child welfare policies and higher rates of victimization. (90% of women in jail in parries. )
what is restorative programs?
still situated within the formal CJS.
placing abusers in programs, not jail.
some programs focusing on rehabilitation through reconciliation with victims.
holds responsible much quicker.
critiques : victim just has to show up, minimizes gendered violence. no consultation with victim.
what is transformative justice?
most often outside of the legal system - used in social movement spaces.
fundamental rejection of carceral system .
seek transformation rather than restoration
community facilitated
critique: practical decision - who decides this/ not enough supports.
who is m. gray critical of increasing secularization measures on campus to reduce sexual assault ?
fear of crime influences decisions, unaware of actual rates/ stats. increasing security and phone apps won’t necessarily reduce things. fear of crime becomes a market. no support for survivors.
