Chapter 3 VICTIMS AND VICTIMIZATIONProblems of Crime Victims- Economic Losso Avg. cost of crime on society is 450 billion/year.o Victim costs include: hospitalization, mental health clinics, funerals, etc.o Reduced quality of life and physical disabilities can hurt a victim’s future prof. success- Suffering Stress & PTSDo Condition including depression, anxiety, and self-destructiono Males more prone to PTSD especially in rape caseso Adolescent victims more prone to trauma-leading to more suicide as adults, running away from home, hallucinations, and heightening risk for re-victimizationo Spousal abuse can lead to generalized anxiety disorder, multiple personality disorder, OCD, etc. Often psychological abused as much as physically- Fearo Most fearful of crime include the elderly, the poor, and minority group memberso Fear of crime is escalated by reports of crime- Antisocial Behavioro Cycle of Violence: abuse-crime phenomenon that shows that people are more likely to engage in violent behavior if they have been previously exposed to violent behavioro Victimization causes social problems. o Victimization causes stress and anger.o Victimization prompts revenge. o Spurious association. The Nature of Victimization- The Social Ecology of Victimizationo Violent crimes and robberies are more likely to take place in public during the dayo Rape/aggravated assault takes places after 6PM/before 6AMo Rural areas have ½ the victimization rate as city dwellerso Inner-city citizens have higher crime rates due to gangs/drug trafficking o Schools have terrible victimization rates-teenage males are most dangerous to society- The Victim’s Householdo Most victimized: African American, urban, larger, westerno Least victimized: rural, white, northeasto Renters more likely than owners- Victim Characteristicso Gender- males over females in violent crimes & robbery-Females over males in rape, domestic violence, & sexual assault. Also more personal assaulterso Age- 16-19 experience most crime, aging out happens after 25o Social Status- Poorest Americans are most likely victims of violent and property crimeso Marital Status-Unmarried people are more susceptible to crimes; young single people goout in public alone moreo Race & Ethnicity- African Americans are more victimized Interracial violenceChapter 3 VICTIMS AND VICTIMIZATION Native Americans are more victimized by other races for rape/murdero Repeat VictimizationPlaces blame on the victim, “You’re asking for it” Target vulnerability- physical weakness or psychological distress Target gratifiability- certain victims have a quality or possession a criminal wants to obtain Target antagonism- characteristics that provoke anger or jealousy-attacks on gays- Victims and Their Criminalso More than ½ of violent non-fatal crimes are committed by a known subjective of the victimo Males more likely to be victimized by a strangerTheories of Victimization- Victim Precipitation TheorySome people initiate confrontation that eventually leads to their injury or death.o Active precipitation-uses threats or fighting words, attacks firsto Passive precipitation-dresses provocatively, competition over a job, love interests- Lifestyle TheoryCrime is not a random occurrence but rather a function of the victim’s lifestyle.o Girls live alone in college-more susceptibleo Homeless live - Deviant Place TheoryThe greater their exposure to dangerous places, the more likely people will become victims of crime and violence.- Routine Activities TheoryIncludes the volume and distribution of predatory crime are closely related to the interaction of three variables that reflect the routine of an American Lifestyle.o The availability of Suitable Targets-homes containing easily sellable goodso The absence of capable guardians-police, homeowners, neighbors, friendso The presence of motivated offenders-large number of unemployed teenagersCaring for the Victim- The Government’s Response to Victimizationo Compensation for victims-paying for damages associated with crime, medical bills, loss of future earnings, counseling In murder cases-families receive aid for supportChapter 3 VICTIMS AND VICTIMIZATION Rewards $100-15Ko Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants money to state compensation boards derived from fines and penalties imposed on federal offenderso Victim Advocates Lobby police departments fight for victim rights Programs raise awareness, provide transportationo Victim Counseling Offer crisis intervention at home or in offices, very successfulo Public Education Encourage school-based programs to talk about dating abuse or child abuseo Crisis Intervention Making repairs to a home after a break-in Conducting home safety inspections to prevent re-victimization Accompanying victims to court Supplying victim care kits- Victim-Offender Reconciliation ProgramsRestitution Agreements- Use mediators to facilitate face-to-face encounters between victimsand their attackers which leads to direct negotiations which leads to R.A.o Victim Impact Statements Gives victims a chance to state their experiences and describe the ordeal- Victims and Self-Protectiono Target hardening- making one’s home and business crime-proofo Fighting back-training to fight back sometimes increases a chance of victim’s injuryo Kleck has concluded that victims that fight back with guns kill cause far less collateral injury than police themselves- Community Organizationo Neighborhood watch-focused on criminal activity only, much less successful that multi task groups- Victims’ Rightso Notified, consulted before dismissal, entitled to a speedy trialo DA can decide to hold a trial even if a victim does not want it- Megan’s Law-Should the rights of the victim take precedent over the privacy of the offender?o People have to register through Sex Offenders Registries Level 1-low risk: statutory rape , Level 2-moderate, Level 3-High Risk: Repeat OffendersStand Your