NCJ Number
185182
Date Published
2000
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Criminologists now consider victims and victimization to be a major focus of study, particularly since more than 30 million U.S. citizens suffer from crime each year and social and economic costs of crime are high.
Abstract
Like crime, victimization has stable patterns and trends. Violent crime victims tend to be young, poor, single males living in large cities, although victims come in all ages, sizes, races, and genders. Many victimizations occur in the home, and many victims are the targets of relatives and loved ones. In a few cases where children have been the victims of parental abuse, the parents later become the victims of their children. Several victimization theories exist. One view, called victim precipitation, is that victims provoke criminals. More common views are lifestyle theories that suggest victims put themselves in danger by engaging in high-risk activities, such as going out late at night, living in a high crime area, and associating with high-risk peers. The routine activities theory maintains that a pool of motivated offenders exists and that these offenders will take advantage of unguarded, suitable targets. Numerous programs help victims by providing court services, economic compensation, public education, and crisis intervention. Victims do have certain rights that should be protected, and some victims have attempted to help themselves by organizing at the community level for self-protection. 128 notes, 2 tables, 8 tables, and 7 photographs