Criminology, Crime Prevention, and the Victim

• NCJ Number: 158581
• Author(s): R M Titus
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented to the 1995 Annual Conference of the National Organization for Victim Assistance

Annotation

This paper makes a case for heightened attention to crime victims because they are an integral part of the crime situation and victim characteristics and behavior are often important situational variables.

Abstract

In particular, activity theory should look more closely at the sequential nature of criminal events in order to better understand the role of victims and offenders in such events. Research shows that, just as a small percentage of offenders account for a disproportionate amount of crime, a small percentage of victims account for a disproportionate number of victimizations. Factors that increase the risk of victimization involve demographics, exposure, unwise associations, dangerous times and places, dangerous behaviors, high-risk activities, and lack of caution. Victimization risk is characterized in terms of three target factor categories: (1) factors the victim cannot change; (2) factors the victim might be able to change; and (3) factors the victim can change. The phenomenon of repeat victimization is discussed, and attributes of persons who experience repeat victimization are noted. Crime prevention programs that consider the needs of victims are examined, as well as victimization risk self-assessment instruments. The author concludes that the victim must be brought back into criminology and that activity theory can lead the way. 36 references