NCJ Number
99966
Date Published
1984
Length
286 pages
Annotation
This comprehensive overview of victimology covers its historical development, the losses that burden victims of street crime, the controversy surrounding victim blaming, the criminal justice system response to victims, restitution, and victim compensation.
Abstract
The author initially examines the public's growing concern for the plight of crime victims, businesses' exploitation of victims, and the development of victimology. A discussion of victimization costs addresses victimization surveys, determinants of vulnerability, risk reduction, and citizen crime reporting. An indepth investigation of robbery demonstrates how the burden of victimization falls more heavily on some than others. The concept of shared responsibility is explored, using a spectrum of responsibility ranging from complete innocence to facilitation, precipitation, provocation, and complete responsibility. A typology of auto theft victims illustrates this continuum. Using rape, auto theft, and looting as examples, the author examines the victim-blaming and victim-defending viewpoints. The next area addressed is the insensitive treatment of victims by police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and parole boards. Also discussed are the pros and cons of restitution and victim compensation through insurance or government programs. The final chapter considers a bill of rights for crime victims and informal justice (both mediation and vigilantism). Over 50 references and an index are supplied.