Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 12 - 1 Chapter 12 Victims and Victimology “This is not right — the people who are doing this should be sent

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.12 - 1

Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Victims and VictimologyVictims and Victimology

Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Victims and VictimologyVictims and Victimology

““This is not right — the people who are This is not right — the people who are doing this should be sent to jail. We are not doing this should be sent to jail. We are not animals — even animals are happy.”animals — even animals are happy.” — Quote — Quote

from a trafficking victim taken to Canada from a trafficking victim taken to Canada


Learning Objectives• Understand the role of victimology within the

criminological area.• Identify and describe the key theories of

victimology.• Identify some of the key findings regarding

victims of crime.• Understand and discuss the new challenges

and direction of victimology.• Recognize and identify the range of government

services for victims.


Overview• “crime, for the most part, is injury inflicted on

another person” von Hentig, 1948:383• What it is:

– the study of the victim or victims of a particular offender.

– an analysis of victim characteristics – "victim profiling" (Holmes & Holmes ‘96)

• Why study victims?– Traditionally been neglected – ‘one of the most beneficial tools in classifying

and solving a violent crime’ (Douglas et al., ’92)


• ROOTS OF VICTIMOLOGY:• Benjamin Mendelsohn (1900-1998)

- Victimology should be part of criminology- Hans von Hentig (1887-1974)

- The Criminal and His Victim- Classified victims according to personality- Importance of subject-object relations- Case studies:

- Reena Virk- ‘Fred’ Shipman- Holly Jones

- ’70s and ’80s ‘art of blaming the victim’- Role of political and ideological climate


• Victimology:– Emerged as an applied discipline– 1st symposium 1973

• Key conclusions• 10th symposium Montreal

– ‘50s and ‘60s – dramatic change– ‘80s and ’90s - consolidation & theorizing– UN Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for

Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power – ’85- www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_comp49.htm


History of Victimization Surveys

• Original objective to count the ‘dark figure’ of crime

• Originally NOT concerned with victims

• Inadequacy of official statistics as crime indicator

• Provide estimate of hidden victimization


Victimization Surveys• Provide information on the

aftermath of their victimization

• Allows researcher to assess the CJS response to victims

• Surveys enable researchers to gauge public attitudes towards the CJS

• Enables the researcher to measure levels of fear of crime

• Enables the researcher to tap into the number of victims who do not report their victimization


Advantages and Disadvantages VS

• Extend and distribution of selected crimes

• Measure impact of selected crimes• Assess risk of victimization• Assess victim’s perception on the

functioning & effectiveness – CJS• Caution:• Return on time and money• Possible backlash• standardization


Different Major Surveys• CUVS ’80s

– Telephone: 60 000– 8 categories of crime

• GSS ’88– Standardized and consistent format– Box 12.2

• VAWS ’93– Women… 2001,’02 Family Violence in Canada: A

Statistical Profile• ICVS (Jan Van Dijk 1947- (Box 12.5)

– 1989, 1992, 166, 2000, 2004


Victim Characteristics• Social and demographic details…• Age:

– youth vs. elderly• Gender:

– Differences in risk by type of crime• Social status:

– Economic strata and crime prone areas• Marital status:

– Lifestyle matters• Race and ethnicity:

– Controversial and politically charged• Repeat victimization:

– Predisposition, propensity, proneness & vulnerability


Theoretical models• Victim precipitation theory:

– Von Hentig– actions are the telltale – Stereotype and typologies– Work of Henri Ellenberger

• Lifestyle Model:– Significance of one’s lifestyle

• More active & More social = RISK!– Contrast with opportunity theory– 3 related hypothesis


• Routine Activities Theory:– Opportunity or suitable targets– Lack of capable

guardians/protectors– Motivated offender

• Integrated Theory Victimization– Opportunities to association to

hi-risk activities… structural/cultural proneness

– ! Too many factors


The Emergence of Victims’ Rights

• 1985 UN Declaration of Basic Principlesof Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power• www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_comp49.htm• 2003 CDN Statement of Basic Principles of Justice

for Victims of Crime• Victim Impact Statements (VIS):

– Right to have his/her impressions re the offence read/heard in court

– 1988 CDN legislation (see Box 12.6)– 1995 standardized the process– A voluntary option


• Victim Assistance Programs:– Victim compensation– controversial– 1988 victim fine surcharge – Provincial exception– Court Services– Assist victims while attending court and in

dealing with the CJS– Victim Service Programs– Diverse and widespread– Public Education– Usually associated with legal and/or CJ

organization– Varying degrees of ‘success’


• Crisis Intervention– Victims experience an array of difficulties/challenges– Facilitate the healing process

• Empathy, understanding & validation• Victim-Offender reconciliation programs (VORP)

– Restorative justice movement– Mennonite and First Nations– Volunteer based

• Evaluation of Victim Assistance Programs– Mixed results– Accessibility– Truly meeting victims’ needs– Restorative justice model– Possible extension of state control


New Directions in Victimology

• Constantly evolving• Fattah ’97:

– Alternative healing practices– Role of restorative justice model– Bridging barriers between criminal

and civil courts• A major factor in a criminal event• Improve UCR data• Increasing presence in criminology &

criminal justice


SUMMARY• Victimology a major focus• Risk related to: age, gender, SES and setting,

and lifestyle• Key theories include: precipitation theory,

lifestyle model, & RAT• Increasingly bridging theory and practice:

– Impact statement, public education, & VORP

– Victim’s right and restorative justice• Victim no longer the forgotten factor in the

criminal event

Documents

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 12 - 1 Chapter 12 Victims and Victimology “This is not right — the people who are doing this should be sent