VICTIMS OF CRIME

Question 1

What is the study of victims called

Answer 1

Victimology

Question 2

Outline positivist victimology

Answer 2

Looks at patterns of victimisation and how characteristics of victims contribute to their victimisation: eg victim proneness (making victims more prone to crime like low intelligence) and victim precipitation (being the first to use violence for example)

Question 3

Outline critical victimology

Answer 3

Looks at structural factors such as poverty and argues that being a victim is a form of structural powerlessness. Critical criminology points out how the CJS can deny a victim their status by not applying the label of a victim. Tombs and whyte show violations of the laws from employers which Jess to workers injuries are explained at the victim being accident prone.

Question 4

What are some patterns of victimisation

Answer 4

The poor are more likely to be victims of crime
Young are more likely to be vulnerable to assault sexual harassment and abuse
Minority ethnic groups are more likely to be victims of racially motivated crimes