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Crime Victims: An Introduction to Crime Victims: An Introduction to VictimologyVictimology

Sixth EditionSixth Edition

By Andrew KarmenBy Andrew Karmen

Chapter One: What is Chapter One: What is Victimology?Victimology?

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VICTIMOLOGYVICTIMOLOGY

““Scientific study of physical, emotional, and Scientific study of physical, emotional, and financial harm people suffer because of financial harm people suffer because of illegal activities.”illegal activities.”

Included in this definition is the victimization Included in this definition is the victimization occurring for victims within the criminal justice occurring for victims within the criminal justice system.system.

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VictimizationVictimization

““Is an asymmetrical interpersonal Is an asymmetrical interpersonal relationship that is abusive, painful, relationship that is abusive, painful, destructive, parasitical, and unfair.”destructive, parasitical, and unfair.”

Law forbids certain forms of victimization—Law forbids certain forms of victimization—oppressive and exploitative acts—but not oppressive and exploitative acts—but not ALL types of harmful activities.ALL types of harmful activities.

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VICTIMOLOGYVICTIMOLOGY

VictimsVictims—Individuals who experience loss, injury, —Individuals who experience loss, injury, or hardship for any reasonor hardship for any reason

Crime VictimsCrime Victims—Above as result of an illegal act—Above as result of an illegal act

Direct/PrimaryDirect/Primary—Experiences criminal act and its —Experiences criminal act and its consequences first handconsequences first hand

Indirect/SecondaryIndirect/Secondary—Family and those who suffer —Family and those who suffer emotionally or financially but are not immediately emotionally or financially but are not immediately involved or physically injuredinvolved or physically injured

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Studying of Victimization Studying of Victimization ScientificallyScientifically

Subjective ApproachSubjective Approach– Issues are approached from standpoint of Issues are approached from standpoint of

morality, ethics, philosophy, personalized morality, ethics, philosophy, personalized reactions, and emotionsreactions, and emotions

Objective ApproachObjective Approach– Requires observer to be fair, open-minded, Requires observer to be fair, open-minded,

even-handed, dispassionate, neutral, and even-handed, dispassionate, neutral, and unbiasedunbiased

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Studying of Victimization Studying of Victimization ScientificallyScientifically

Why should victimologists NOT be pro-Why should victimologists NOT be pro-victim?victim?

““Ideal Victim”: person who suffered harm Ideal Victim”: person who suffered harm was weaker than aggressor, acting was weaker than aggressor, acting virtuously or not looking for trouble or virtuously or not looking for trouble or breaking any laws, and wrongdoer was a breaking any laws, and wrongdoer was a stranger acting illegally and was unprovokedstranger acting illegally and was unprovoked

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Victims or Offenders?Victims or Offenders?

Who is the victim and who is the offender?Who is the victim and who is the offender?

Not always clear cut—consider the Not always clear cut—consider the following:following:

– Subway VigilanteSubway Vigilante– Menendez BrothersMenendez Brothers– BobicksBobicks

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Criminals as VictimsCriminals as Victims

Predatory persons prey on each otherPredatory persons prey on each other

Organized crime “takes out a contract”Organized crime “takes out a contract”

““Drive-by” shooting between two gangsDrive-by” shooting between two gangs

““Drug deal gone bad”Drug deal gone bad”

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Cycle of ViolenceCycle of Violence

Cycle of violence over time can transform a Cycle of violence over time can transform a victim(s) into victimizer(s)victim(s) into victimizer(s)– Group of picked on students may gang up Group of picked on students may gang up

against the bullyagainst the bully– Battered wife may launch a vengeful attack Battered wife may launch a vengeful attack

against husbandagainst husband– Convicts much more likely to have been abused Convicts much more likely to have been abused

physically or sexually as childrenphysically or sexually as children

–Violence Begets ViolenceViolence Begets Violence

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Victims vs. “Good Guys”Victims vs. “Good Guys”

Victimologists do not limit their studies to clashes Victimologists do not limit their studies to clashes between victims and offendersbetween victims and offenders

They also consider the social reaction to They also consider the social reaction to victimizationvictimization

Victims outraged by media coverage—Victims outraged by media coverage—sensationalismsensationalism

Investigation of charges in high profile cases Investigation of charges in high profile cases require victimologists to be detached and require victimologists to be detached and disinterested in carrying out analysisdisinterested in carrying out analysis

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Victimology’s Undeserved Victimology’s Undeserved “Bad Reputation”“Bad Reputation”

Victimology during the 90s and into the Victimology during the 90s and into the twentieth century has become to many a twentieth century has become to many a “dirty word.”“dirty word.”

(Paglia, 1993) A critic of contemporary (Paglia, 1993) A critic of contemporary feminism declared on national TV, “I hate feminism declared on national TV, “I hate victimology. I despise a victim-centered victimology. I despise a victim-centered view of the universe…”view of the universe…”

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Victimology’s Undeserved Victimology’s Undeserved “Bad Reputation”“Bad Reputation”

(Leo, 1994) a news magazine commentator (Leo, 1994) a news magazine commentator complained, “We are deep into the era of the complained, “We are deep into the era of the abuse excuse. The doctrine of victimology—abuse excuse. The doctrine of victimology—claiming victim status means you are not claiming victim status means you are not responsible for your actions—is beginning to warp responsible for your actions—is beginning to warp the legal system.”the legal system.”

An author of a book about race relations called a An author of a book about race relations called a well-known preacher who is a civil rights activist a well-known preacher who is a civil rights activist a “professional Victimologist.” (Dreher, 2001)“professional Victimologist.” (Dreher, 2001)

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Victimology’s Undeserved Victimology’s Undeserved “Bad Reputation”“Bad Reputation”

(Harrop, 2003) A review of a book noted, (Harrop, 2003) A review of a book noted, “The art of victimology requires three easy “The art of victimology requires three easy steps: (1) Identify a group suffering from real steps: (1) Identify a group suffering from real or perceived injustices (2) Exaggerate the or perceived injustices (2) Exaggerate the problem (3) Blame the problem on a group problem (3) Blame the problem on a group you don’t like. Conservatives have long you don’t like. Conservatives have long condemned the ‘victimology industry’ as a condemned the ‘victimology industry’ as a racket, especially when practiced by women racket, especially when practiced by women and minorities.”and minorities.”

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Victimology’s Undeserved Victimology’s Undeserved “Bad Reputation”“Bad Reputation”

Victimology is a new academic discipline that only Victimology is a new academic discipline that only means “the study of” victimsmeans “the study of” victims

It is focused on the research about people harmed It is focused on the research about people harmed by criminalsby criminals

It does not impose a partisan point of view or a set It does not impose a partisan point of view or a set or predictably biased conclusionsor predictably biased conclusions

The ideology of “victimism” is a coherent, The ideology of “victimism” is a coherent, integrated set of beliefs that shapes interpretations integrated set of beliefs that shapes interpretations and leads to political actionand leads to political action

Do not confuse “victimism” with “victimology”Do not confuse “victimism” with “victimology”

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Victimology’s Undeserved Victimology’s Undeserved “Bad Reputation”“Bad Reputation”

Victimological research must tell the whole Victimological research must tell the whole truth regardless of who is disappointed or truth regardless of who is disappointed or insultedinsulted

Three types of biases undermine the ability Three types of biases undermine the ability of any social scientist to achieve objectivityof any social scientist to achieve objectivity—They include:—They include:

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Three Types of BiasThree Types of Bias

1. 1. May arise from personal experience, taking May arise from personal experience, taking the form of individual preferences and the form of individual preferences and prejudicesprejudices

22. Derives from the history of the discipline . Derives from the history of the discipline itselfitself– Pioneers in the study of victimology first introduced the Pioneers in the study of victimology first introduced the

concept of victim-blaming concept of victim-blaming – Today, majority of victimologists are pro-victimToday, majority of victimologists are pro-victim

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Three Types of BiasThree Types of Bias

3.3. A subtle bias traced back to the mood of A subtle bias traced back to the mood of the timesthe times

60s-70s: a demand for government to devise 60s-70s: a demand for government to devise ways to help victims get back on their feet ways to help victims get back on their feet financially, medically, and emotionallyfinancially, medically, and emotionally

80s: a theme of self-reliance and a reduction 80s: a theme of self-reliance and a reduction in government social spending and tax cutting in government social spending and tax cutting gained popularitygained popularity

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The Origins of VictimologyThe Origins of Victimology

Box 1.1, Page 14, provides highlights in the Box 1.1, Page 14, provides highlights in the brief history of Victimology and Victim brief history of Victimology and Victim AssistanceAssistance

Significant gains in the United States when Significant gains in the United States when the President’s Commission on Law the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Enforcement and the Administration of Justice urged criminologists to pay more Justice urged criminologists to pay more attention to victimsattention to victims

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The Origins of VictimologyThe Origins of Victimology

By the 70s victimology became a recognized field By the 70s victimology became a recognized field of studyof study

By 1990, 240 colleges and universities offered By 1990, 240 colleges and universities offered courses in victimologycourses in victimology

Most states passed crime victim rights Most states passed crime victim rights amendments to their state constitutionamendments to their state constitution

2004—Congress enacts the Crime Victims’ Rights 2004—Congress enacts the Crime Victims’ Rights Act which provides for fair treatment and Act which provides for fair treatment and opportunities for input in federal court proceedingsopportunities for input in federal court proceedings

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Victimology vs. CriminologyVictimology vs. Criminology

Victimology is best viewed as an area of Victimology is best viewed as an area of specialization within criminologyspecialization within criminology

Criminology embraces the scientific study of Criminology embraces the scientific study of crimes, criminals, criminal laws and the crimes, criminals, criminal laws and the justice system, societal reactions, and crime justice system, societal reactions, and crime victimsvictims

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Victimology vs. CriminologyVictimology vs. Criminology

Criminologists ask why certain individuals Criminologists ask why certain individuals become involved in lawbreaking while become involved in lawbreaking while others do notothers do not

Victimologists ask why some individuals, Victimologists ask why some individuals, households, and entities are targeted while households, and entities are targeted while others are not, and why over and over againothers are not, and why over and over again

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Victimology vs. CriminologyVictimology vs. Criminology

Criminologists apply their findings to devise Criminologists apply their findings to devise crime prevention strategiescrime prevention strategies

Victimologists use patterns and trends to Victimologists use patterns and trends to develop victimization prevention strategies develop victimization prevention strategies and risk-reduction tacticsand risk-reduction tactics

Both criminologists and victimologists study Both criminologists and victimologists study how the criminal justice system actually how the criminal justice system actually works versus how it is supposed to workworks versus how it is supposed to work

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Victimology vs.. CriminologyVictimology vs.. Criminology

BoundariesBoundaries– Boundaries are clear cut for CriminologyBoundaries are clear cut for Criminology

– Boundaries for Victimology still unclearBoundaries for Victimology still unclear

– Overlap due to lack of boundariesOverlap due to lack of boundaries Crime rates vs. victimization ratesCrime rates vs. victimization rates

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Divisions Within The DisciplineDivisions Within The Discipline

Political ideologies shape policy Political ideologies shape policy recommendations:recommendations:– ConservativeConservative

– LiberalLiberal

– Radical Radical

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Divisions Within The DisciplineDivisions Within The Discipline

Conservative InfluenceConservative Influence– Focuses on basically street crimesFocuses on basically street crimes– Everyone to be held accountable for their Everyone to be held accountable for their

decisions and actionsdecisions and actions– Emphasis on self reliance, NOT governmentEmphasis on self reliance, NOT government– Individual responsibility for preventing, avoiding, Individual responsibility for preventing, avoiding,

resisting and recovering from criminal acts resisting and recovering from criminal acts – Strictly punish offenders on behalf of their Strictly punish offenders on behalf of their

victimsvictims

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Divisions Within The DisciplineDivisions Within The Discipline

Liberal InfluenceLiberal Influence– Scope of field to extend beyond street crimesScope of field to extend beyond street crimes– Endorse government interventionEndorse government intervention– Extend ‘safety net’ mechanisms for all kinds of Extend ‘safety net’ mechanisms for all kinds of

misfortunesmisfortunes– Look to wrongdoers repaying their victims to Look to wrongdoers repaying their victims to

allow for reconciliationallow for reconciliation

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Divisions Within The DisciplineDivisions Within The Discipline

Radical/Critical/Conflict InfluenceRadical/Critical/Conflict Influence– Victimization is a result of oppressive social Victimization is a result of oppressive social

systemsystem– Scope of the field to include:Scope of the field to include:

industrial polluters, hazardous workplaces, fraudulent industrial polluters, hazardous workplaces, fraudulent advertisers, brutally violent law enforcement advertisers, brutally violent law enforcement agencies, poverty, malnutrition, family dysfunction, agencies, poverty, malnutrition, family dysfunction, unemployment and substance abuse; these are unemployment and substance abuse; these are social problems of which the CJ system is part of the social problems of which the CJ system is part of the problemproblem

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What Victimologists DoWhat Victimologists Do

Victimologists explore the interactions Victimologists explore the interactions between victims and offenders, victims and between victims and offenders, victims and the criminal justice system, and victims and the criminal justice system, and victims and societysociety

Four step process victimologists follow Four step process victimologists follow when carrying out their research:when carrying out their research:

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What Victimologists DoWhat Victimologists Do

Step 1: Identify, Define, and Describe the Step 1: Identify, Define, and Describe the ProblemProblem

Step 2: Measure the True Dimensions of the Step 2: Measure the True Dimensions of the ProblemProblem

Step 3: Investigate How Victims Are Step 3: Investigate How Victims Are HandledHandled

Step 4: Gather Evidence to Test Step 4: Gather Evidence to Test Hypotheses Hypotheses

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Chapter One Key TermsChapter One Key TermsVictimVictim VictimizationVictimization VictimologyVictimology Direct/Primary Direct/Primary

VictimsVictims

SurvivorsSurvivors Indirect/Indirect/

Secondary Secondary VictimsVictims

SubjectiveSubjective

ApproachApproach

ObjectivityObjectivity

SensationalismSensationalism VictimismVictimism IdeologyIdeology CriminologyCriminology

PostPost

Traumatic Stress Traumatic Stress DisorderDisorder

Best Best PracticesPractices

Just Just DessertsDesserts

BullyingBullying

MuggabilityMuggability

RatingsRatings

Stockholm Stockholm SyndromeSyndrome

IncidenceIncidence

RatesRates

PrevalencePrevalence

RatesRates

LifetimeLifetime

LikelihoodsLikelihoods

ProfileProfile Needs Needs AssessmentAssessment