Please read the introduction below before answering the questions. Your textbook will help you to answer the questions. You can also consult the PowerPoint below.
Introduction: What is Victimology, Theories, and Factors of Victimization
In the sphere of criminal justice, the word victim describes any person who has experienced injury, loss, or hardship due to the illegal action of another individual or organization (Karmen, 2004). Victimology refers to the scientific study of victimization, including the relationships between victims and offenders, investigators, courts, corrections, media, and social movements (Karmen, 1990). Benjamin Mendelsohn coined the word victimology in 1947 to describe the scientific study of crime victims. He was fascinated by the dynamics at play between victims of crime and offenders. According to Mendelsohn (1982, p. 59), victimologists aim to “investigate the causes of victimization in search of effective remedies.” Mendelsohn (1976) identified five types of victims – a criminal, oneself, the social environment, technology, and the natural environment. Another notable victimology scholar is Hans von Hentig. In his book The Criminal and His Victim: Studies in the Sociobiology of Crime, Hentig (1948) supported investigating the factors that cause some people to fall victim to crime. Other pioneers of Victimology include Stephen Schafer, Marvin Wolfgang, and Menachim Amir.
The civil rights movement and the victims’ rights movement highlighted the mistreatment of minorities by the criminal justice system, both as offenders and victims. Besides, the passage of the Women’s Rights Act brought awareness to the victimization of women in society. The Victims’ Right Act was passed by Congress in 1984. It was amended in 1988 to include compensation for victims of domestic violence and drunk-driving accidents. Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994. The law addressed the issue of violence against women. VAWA was part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act enacted by Congress in 1994.
Reports on victimization can be found on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report (UCR), now upgraded to National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The U.S. Census Bureau also captures victims of crime in its National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) of participating households.
Theories and explanations for victimization include an attachment to the “code of the street” and structural and social process factors, routine activities and lifestyles theory, social learning theory, control-balance theory, social interactionist theory, life-course perspective, the general theory of crime, age-grade theory of adult social bonds, genes and victimization, and the role of alcohol in victimization.
PowerPoints: Chapters 1 and 2
Daigle_Victimology2e_Ch01.pptx Download Daigle_Victimology2e_Ch01.pptx
Daigle_Victimology2e_Ch02.pptx Download Daigle_Victimology2e_Ch02.pptx
Weekly Assignments and Discussion Questions
Please complete a 650 to 750-word (2 to 4 pages) review of the assigned weekly readings. Answer at least three questions below. You must select the questions from at least two different chapters! You will be graded for quality and a critical appraisal of the issue(s) in the chapters.
This class is oriented on a ‘Monday-Saturday’ schedule. You should post your original weekly chapter review to the Discussion board no later than Friday at 11:59 p.m. Responses to your classmates may be made after your original post has been submitted. Responses to your classmates must be completed no later than Saturday at 11:59 p.m. each week a reading response assignment is due. Late submissions will not be graded. For each topic’s reading response, there are TWO due dates; the first due date is Friday when original posts are due, and the second due date is Saturday when all responses to peers are due. Each student must respond to at least one classmate but may respond to more than one if desired. You must submit your own weekly reviews before you can comment on your peers’ weekly reviews. In your comment, you should address some critical issues raised by your colleague in a paragraph (three to four sentences). “I enjoyed reading your post,” is not a relevant comment! Your comments are worth 20 points.
Week 1: Questions (Chapters 1 and 2):
Answer three questions (below) from any chapter of your choice. You can write up to three pages (maximum) or one-and-a-half pages (minimum).
Chapter 1: Introduction to Victimology
Questions
i) What role did the women’s movement play in recognizing the rights of victims of crime (see The Women’s Moment, p. 9)?
ii) Apart from the criminal justice system, victims of crime encounter social services agencies. Explain (see The Crime Victim and Social Services, p. 5). How can we prevent the victimization of people (see Prevention, p.15)?
Chapter 2: Extent, Theories, and Factors of Victimization
Questions
i) Briefly explain the meaning of the Uniform Crime Report (UCR)/National Incident-Based Reporting System and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). What are the advantages and disadvantages of the UCR and NCVS? (See Uniform Crime Reports, National Incident-Based Reporting System, and National Crime Victimization Survey, pp. 21 & 21)
ii) Explain the routine activities and lifestyles theory of victimization. (See Routine Activities and Lifestyles theory, pp. 29 & 30).
iii) Key life elements – neighborhood context, friends, and family – also contribute to
victimization. Discuss any two of these factors. (See Neighborhood Context, Exposure to Delinquent Peers, and Family, pp. 33 & 34).
