NCJ Number
105390
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1987) Pages: 67-72
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study found that victims in a sample of violent crimes suffered more severe injuries when they strongly resisted the offender.
Abstract
The dependent variables were measures of victim resistance: physical force, evasive action, attempt to get help, resistance without force, and resistance with a weapon. The independent variables were degree of injury, victim age, and victim occupation. The sample included 130 cases reported to police stations in Sagar City (India) between January 1, 1984, and November 30, 1984. Eighty-seven cases involved minor injuries to victims, and 43 cases involved serious injuries. Victims tended to suffer more severe injury when they used physical force and a weapon to resist the offender. Victims who resisted without force, attempted evasive action, and sought help were injured less severely. The young victims (under 20 years old to 30 years old) tended to resist more strongly than did older victims. Regarding the relationship between victim resistance and victim occupation, unemployed victims tended to resist violently, businessmen tended to try and get help, and most farmers did not take any resistance measures. 4 tables and 10 references.