Week 10: Victimology

Question 1

What is victimology?

Answer 1

the study of victims and victimization, focuses on the impact of crime on the victim, the relationship between the victim and offender, and the relationship between the victim and the criminal justice system

Question 2

What is victimology’s view of the offender?

Answer 2

victimology challenged us to critique clear cut distinctions between victim and offender statuses, those who are offenders today may be victims tomorrow and vice versa

Question 3

How was victimology developed?

Answer 3

started in the 1940s and focused on very serious forms of interpersonal crime, gained momentum in the 60s and 70s and emphasized the need to recognize and address the needs of victims of crime and their legal rights, financial compensation, psychological support, etc.

Question 4

What is victim precipitation?

Answer 4

considers crime as a social interaction between the victim and the offender, where each party’s actions influence the other, contributing factors are lifestyle, demographics, and environment

Question 5

What are the two types of victim precipitation?

Answer 5

-Active precipitation: when the victim intentionally provokes or initiates the conflict or criminal act
-Passive precipitation: situations where the victim’s behavior unintentionally contributes to crime or conflict

Question 6

What is the Routine Activities/Lifestyle Theory?

Answer 6

the dominant criminological theory used to explain victimization. Three elements: 1) a motivated offender, 2) with the presence of a suitable target, 3) in the absence of capable guardianship

Question 7

What is feminist victimology?

Answer 7

emerged in response to the limitations of traditional perspective in addressing gender-based violence and the experiences of women victims/victim blaming. Incorporates intersectional analysis and advocating for systemic changes, empowering victims and challenging victim-blaming attitudes

Question 8

What are the characteristics of a legitimate/the “ideal victim”?

Answer 8

the victim is weaker than the offender, does not know the offender, is blameless for what happened, etc. Focus heavily on rape and domestic violence cases

Question 9

What is a signal crime?

Answer 9

a crime that attracts significant attention and a high profile because it is constructed as symbolic of larger social issues. Can be rallying points for social movement and social change and can spur political and policy action

Question 10

What was Operation Soteria?

Answer 10

In 2021, less that 2% of rapes reported to the police in England and Wales resulted in charges. Betsy Stanko (a researcher on gender crime/victimization/gender-bases violence) and her team carried out comprehensive research and observations including interviews with rape survivors and body cam footage to investigate issues and propose solutions.

Question 11

Key findings of Operation Soteria research

Answer 11

-missing or incorrectly entered data
-lack of training in specialist knowledge about offending
-weak skills and strategies of investigators
-understaffing and under resourcing
-varrying attitudes and beliefs of officers toward rape and sexual offences

Question 12

Aftermath of Operation Soteria

Answer 12

new approach to rape investigations and prosecutions. Implementing and monitoring progress supported by academic advisors and thematic inspectors. Helped to improve outcomes for survivors of sexual violence and increased the number of cases being prosecuted