Violent Crime Flashcards
What is Violence?
The use of power to harm another, whatever form it takes
Interpersonal violence
E.g., robbery, acquaintance violence, domestic violence, mugging, sexual violence, homicide
State/political violence
E.g., terrorism, war-related violence (e.g., mass rape, torture)
Corporate violence
E.g., death or injury due to corporate negligence or neglect e.g. faulty equipment crimes against the environment
What are the consequences of violence?
emotional, physical, psychological, financial and DEATH
Violence related deaths (WHO 2002)
14% homicide
21% self-directed, suicide
8% collective (war-related)
57% corporate violence (work-related)
How many recorded crimes are interpersonal?
1 in 4
What percentage of violent crime goes unreported?
50%
Acquaintance violence is most prevalent (about 43%)
43%
Alcohol and drugs are commonly involved in violent offences
50%
Violent crime has decreased from … its peak in 1995
50%
Socio-demographic (static) risks for violent victimization
gender, age, ethnicity, social class
Dynamic risk factors for violent victimization
‘Lifestyle’ factors eg being homeless/going out a lot
Workplace/occupation. night time economy/dangerous job
most common homicide is between people who know each other
22% homicides are done by people known to victim
16% done by partner or ex-partner
Biological factors determining criminality:
its a process of nature and nurture
Lombroso’s ‘born criminal’ : they are in premature stages of development etc
CAN ONLY EXPLAIN LIMITED NUMBER OF CRIMES
alcohol and drug use is not a CAUSE of crime
they are just influential factors
Psychological Factors determining criminality
all behaviour is learned (Strauss and Gelles; 1990)
Social Learning Theory - Strauss and Gelles 1990
when violence is normative in the family (victims of abuse of neglect or aggressive parents) children learn through imitation, kids learn aggression is used to resolve disputes, violence is then repeated in later life, especially in cases of domestic violence
Sociological theories of understanding violence
SUBCULTURES OF VIOLENCE
Wolfgang & Farracuti (1967) - people learn violence and alternative norms, values, attitudes and legitimate their violence through group participation - delinquent attitudes promoted
the ‘maleness’ of violent crime
pressure on young men to prove they are “hard” - capable of inflicting violence and display dominance and machoism.
