Crime Victims An Introduction to Victimology 9th Edition by Andrew Karmen – Test Bank
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Sample Test
TEST BANK
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The
“big picture” of crime can be manipulated or distorted by _____.
2. limited
personal experience
3. self-serving
reported by organizations with vested interests
4. cultural
values and myths
5. all
of these.
ANS:
D
LO:
2│12
REF: p. 67
2. _____
rates are realistic assessments of threat levels that criminal activities pose
to particular individuals and groups.
3. Victimization
4. Risk
5. Crime
6. Trend
ANS:
A
LO: 1│4
REF: p. 68
3. Statistics
can be used to _____.
4. measure
victimization rates
5. expose
patterns of crime
6. demonstrate
crime variation across time
7. do
all of these.
ANS:
D
LO:
1│4
REF: p. 73-77
4. Which
of the following is included in Part I of the UCR?
5. murder
6. robbery
7. forcible
rape
8. all
of these
ANS:
D
LO: 3 │6
│10
REF: p. 70
5. _____
demonstrate how crime has changed over time.
6. Trends
7. Patterns
8. Variances
9. Profiles
ANS:
A
LO:
1│4
REF: p. 68
6. Statistics
can provide _____.
7. estimates
of costs and losses imposed by crime
8. planning
assistance in projects
9. evaluation
of the effectiveness of a criminal justice agency
10.
all of these
ANS:
D
LO:
1│4
REF: p. 68-69
7. _____
can provide an idea of what is usual or typical about a victim in terms of
their characteristics.
8. Profiles
9. Incidence
rates
10.
Trends
11.
Patterns
ANS:
A
LO:
1│4
REF: p. 68-69
8. _____
reflect predictable relationship or regular occurrences found during an
analysis of the data.
9. Profiles
10.
Statistics
11.
Variances
12.
Patterns
ANS:
D
LO:
1│4
REF: p. 68
9. _____
are statistical portraits that yield an impression of what is usual or typical
about the average victim.
10.
Profiles
11.
Rates
12.
Trends
13.
Patterns
ANS:
A
LO:
1│4
REF: p. 68
10.
The _____ dramatizes the fact that as time passes, more and more
people join the ranks of crime victims
11.
UCR
12.
NCVS
13.
Crime Clock
14.
Doomsday Clock
ANS:
C
LO:
3
REF p. 77
11.
When police departments report only the worst offense that
happens during a sequence of criminal events for UCR purposes, they are
following _____.
12.
victimization survey guidelines
13.
hierarchy rule
14.
the Bureau of Justice Statistics Rulebook
15.
State Police reporting requirements
ANS:
B
LO:
3
REF: p. 71
12.
Which of the following was most recently added to Part I index
offenses?
13.
arson
14.
motor vehicle theft
15.
forcible rape
16.
domestic assault
ANS:
A
LO:
3
REF: p. 70
13.
In which year was the Uniform Crime Report established?
14.
1927
15.
1932
16.
1958
17.
1979
ANS:
A
LO:
3
REF: p. 70
14.
The National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is an
overhaul of ____.
15.
the NCVS
16.
various state reporting systems
17.
the UCR
18.
all of these
ANS:
C
LO:
3
REF: p. 71
15.
The first national victims’ survey was conducted in what year?
16.
1966
17.
1974
18.
1989
19.
2000
ANS:
A
LO:
3
REF: p. 73
16.
Which items are collected by the NIBRS but not by the UCR?
17.
demographics of the offender
18.
demographics of the victim
19.
the relationship between victim and offender, if any
20.
all of these
ANS:
D
LO:
3
REF: p. 72
17.
The UCR employs the “hierarchy rule.” This means that:
18.
police agencies are ranked according to the population they
serve
19.
crimes are assigned a point value depending on severity, so that
“serious” crimes are weighted more heavily in the results
20.
federal crimes are considered more important than state crimes
21.
if more than one offense occurs in the same incident (, then
only the most serious crime is reported
ANS:
D
LO:
3
REF: p. 71
18.
As of 2012, NIBRS data collection covered ___________ percent of
crimes known to police.
19.
28
20.
35
21.
47
22.
71
ANS:
A
LO:
3
REF: p. 72
19.
Which of the following do victimologists view as the most valid
method for collecting information on crime victimization?
20.
medical record review
21.
news accounts
22.
self-report surveys
23.
jail intake statistics
ANS:
C
LO: 3
│8
REF: p. 73
20.
When victims believe a crime occurred within the desired
reporting period when in fact it occurred long before, _____ has occurred.
21.
recognition error
22.
forward telescoping
23.
memory decay
24.
backward telescoping
ANS:
B
LO: 3 │7
│9
REF: p. 75
21.
Instead of just 8 closely watched UCR index offenses, to the
NIBRS keeps track of ____ Group A offenses.
22.
12
23.
46
24.
57
25.
92
ANS:
B
LO:
3
REF: p. 72
22.
The NIBRS collects victimization data on _____.
23.
homicides
24.
simple assaults
25.
blackmail
26.
all of these
ANS:
D LO: 3
│6
REF: p. 72
23.
For criminologists, self-report surveys confirmed the hypothesis
that large numbers of people broke the law but most were never _____,
especially if they were from middle- or upper-class families.
24.
convicted
25.
investigated
26.
arrested
27.
all of these
ANS:
D LO:
3 │7
│9
REF: p. 73
24.
The tallies maintained by local law enforcement agencies are
typically incomplete due to _____.
25.
victim non-reporting
26.
political pressures to downplay the number of incidents in order
to manipulate public opinion
27.
political pressures to inflate the number of incidents in order
to manipulate public opinion
28.
all of these
ANS:
D
LO: 3 │7
│9
REF: p. 73
25.
The NCVS includes not only forcible rape but also _____.
26.
fondling
27.
grabbing
28.
verbal threats to commit sexual assault
29.
all of these
ANS:
D
LO: 3
│8
REF: p. 82
TRUE/FALSE
1. Until
the 1970’s, few efforts were made to systematically monitor and measure
indicators of crime victimization.
2. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
3
REF: p. 68
2. Patterns
reflect predictable relationships or regular occurrences that are identified
during an analysis of data.
3. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3 │10
REF: p. 68
3. Profiles
are meaningful numbers that reveal important information.
4. true
b. false
ANS:
F
LO: 3
│10
REF: p. 68-69
4. Official
statistics are often compiled and published by governmental agencies.
5. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
3
REF: p. 68
5. Statistics
can reveal patterns of criminal activity.
6. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3 │10
│11
REF: p. 68
6. Statistics
can influence decision makers or shape public opinion.
7. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3 │10
│11
REF: p. 69
7. It is
easy to ‘lie’ with statistics by using impressive-sounding numbers to
deliberately mislead.
8. true
b. false
ANS:
T LO:
3 │10
│11
REF: p. 69
8. Public
officials did not start keeping records about crime until the 1900s.
9. true
b. false
ANS:
F
LO:
3
REF: p. 68
9. Crime
Clocks lack an important measurement of risk—the recognition that there are
millions of possible victims throughout the United States.
10.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3
│7
REF: p. 79
10.
The Uniform Crime Report was initially published in 1979.
11.
true
b. false
ANS:
F
LO:
3
REF: p. 70
11.
The National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is an
overhaul of the UCR.
12.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3
│6
REF: p. 71
12.
One of the problems affecting the accuracy of the UCR is the
hierarchy rule.
13.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3
│7
REF: p. 71
13.
The first national victims’ survey was conducted in 1966.
14.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
3
REF: p. 73
14.
The U.S. Census Bureau conducted the first national survey about
victimization in the United States.
15.
true b. false
ANS:
F
LO:
3
REF: p. 73
15.
Data on victimization may be gathered through self-report.
16.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
3
REF: p. 73
16.
Forward telescoping involves victims believing the crime
occurred within the desired reporting period when in actuality it occurred long
before.
17.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3 │7
│9
REF: p. 75
17.
The Census Bureau collects the data for the National Crime
Victimization Survey (NCVS).
18.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3
│8
REF: p. 74
18.
Participants in the National Crime Victimization Survey are
interviewed every six months for three years.
19.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3
│8
REF: p. 74
19.
Instead of just 8 closely watched UCR index offenses, of the
NIBRS includes 46 Group A offenses.
20.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
3
REF: p. 72
20.
When a household is selected for participation in the National
Crime Victimization Survey, everyone in the household ages 12 and over is
included.
21.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 3
│8
REF: p. 74
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. Discuss
the ways statistics are used in estimating the amount of crime in the United
States.
ANS: Though we will never have the ‘big picture’ of
crime, we can get close to understanding how much crime exists in the United
States through the use of empirical research and statistics. Statistics provide
an estimate of victimization rates, allowing us to understand which crimes are
more harmful to which individuals or groups. Statistics can provide a numerical
probability of being a victim of a particular crime in one’s lifetime. We can
get a sense of patterns or trends of crimes through time and place. Profiles
can be developed from crime statistics, providing law enforcement with an
understanding of which characteristics are more relevant in terms of
victimization and offending. Statistics offer an accurate portrayal of how the
financial harm to society in addition to losses of other resources. From here,
we can develop plans on how to address crime in the future. In addition, we can
evaluate how current means to address crime are doing—whether they are
effective and efficient in their goals to address crime.
LO: 3 │10
REF: p.
68-69
2. Compare
and contrast the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report and the National Crime
Victimization Survey. Be sure to discuss its sources of information and how
results from each are interpreted.
ANS: The two major official sources of victimization data that
provide nationally-representative estimates are the UCR and the NCVS.
Similarities: Both provide a numerical description of the rate
of various street crimes.
Both police departments and individuals in the households that
are a part of the NCVS provide the data voluntarily. They are both only
reliable to the extent that the national sample is truly representative of the
general population of the country.
Differences: The UCR tracks crimes known to the police via an
arrest. The NCVS records self-reported victimization. The UCR is data from
police departments and the source of the NCVS is individuals 12 and over in
randomly selected households. The UCR in incident based, the NCVS is
person-centered. The UCR examines crimes that occurred at one point and time
(at the point of arrest) whereas the NCVS looks at crimes across time (through
the question to respondents on how many crimes they experienced over the past
year).
LO: 3 │5
│8
REF: p. 76-77
3. Using
what you know about the NCVS and the UCR, critique the information presented by
the Crime Clock.
ANS: One can get the perception from the Crime
Clock that it is just a matter of time before one becomes a victim—the sense
that it is inevitable. Some argue the statistics developed from the Crime Clock
are actually under-representative of the true number due to the methodological
issues in data collection for the UCR. Many crimes are not reported and the
clock is based on reported crimes only. Generally, it is true the Crime Clock
should be viewed with caution to its accurate representation. The Clock is an
annual ratio of crime to fixed time intervals. In reality, we know the rate of
crime varies by time of day, time of year, and location. The Clock shows
projections over an entire year and is not a predictor of when or how often a
particular crime does occur. It does not take into account the total number of
people in the country but uses seconds, minutes, hours or days as its
denominator. It has created more social fear of crime than is actually
statistically representative of reality.
LO:
3-7
REF: p. 77-79
4. Outline
and discuss the NIBRS system. Who compiles the NIBRS? How does this system
compare to the UCR and the NCVS? What are the purposes of NIBRS, and how does it
contribute to the understanding of victimization?
ANS: The NIBRS addresses some of the deficiencies
in the collection of data for the UCR. The hierarchy rule of the UCR is
removed. There are 46 crimes covered, as opposed to the eight index crimes covered
in the UCR. Distinctions are made between attempts and successful completion of
crimes, where in the UCR they were tabulated into one category. The data is
still collected by police departments and sent to the FBI. It is becoming more
similar to the NCVS in that it is not tracking victimization data never
tabulated in the UCR, such as victim demographics, type of injury suffered,
whether there was a relationship to the offender, and other variables of
concern in aggravated assault and homicide cases. We obtain more information
about murder through the NIBRS than any other data collection source.
LO 3
│5-7
REF: p. 71-73
5. Weigh
the criticisms and praise for the major crime and victimization statistics
sources. If you could only use one source to write a report about crime in your
neighborhood, which would you use and why?
ANS: It would depend on the type of crime I wanted
to focus on. For example, if the focus was homicide I would choose the NIBRS as
it is the only source with information outside of an arrest for homicide. I
could analyze characterizations of victims, locations, the relationship between
the victim and offender, and aspects of the crime itself. In general, the NCVS
would be the source I would select as there are too many methodological
problems with the UCR. First, there are political pressures to either reduce or
increase the total number of crimes within a police officer’s jurisdiction.
Second, it relies only on arrest. There are many reasons why individuals do not
report crime. One example would be not wanting the offender to get into
trouble, as they are either family or friend. Most crimes occur between
individuals who know each other. We would get an inaccurate depiction of crimes
as conducted by strangers.
LO:
3-10
REF: p. 69-77
TEST BANK
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In
accounting for repeat victimizations, the term _____ focuses on the offender.
1. penal
couple
2. duet
frame of reference
3. boost
explanation
4. flag
explanation
ANS:
C
LO:
1│3
REF: p. 137
2. In
accounting for repeat victimizations, the term _____ emphasizes the
vulnerability and attractiveness of the target.
1. penal
couple
2. duet
frame of reference
3. boost
explanation
4. flag explanation
ANS:
D
LO:
1│3
REF: p. 137
3. Responsibility
for one’s conduct is a changing concept. Its interpretation can be influenced
by:
1. social
conditions
2. political
conditions
3. cultural
conditions
4. all
of these
5.
ANS: D
LO:
1│2
REF: p. 142
4. The
term _____ refers to those situations in which victims carelessly and
unknowingly make it easier for a criminal to commit a theft.
1. provocation
2. precipitation
3. facilitation
4. curiosity
ANS: C
LO:
3
REF: p. 144
5. Auto
theft and burglary are the property crimes most often cited by victimologists
who study the problem of _____
1. provocation
2. precipitation
3. facilitation
4. curiosity
ANS:
C
LO: 3│4
REF: p. 144
6. By
definition, victim-facilitated burglaries are not break-ins but acts of _____.
1. robbery
2. trespass
3. criminal
mischief
4. vandalism
ANS:
B
LO:
3│4
REF: p. 144
7. The
NCVS keeps track of categories of burglaries, including _____.
1. unlawful
entries
2. attempted
forcible entries
3. forcible
entries
4. all
of these
ANS:
D
LO:
3
REF: p. 144
8. The
_____ of the head of the household is the most important determinant of whether
or not someone is likely to facilitate a burglary.
1. socio-economic
status
2. race
3. age
4. gender
ANS:
C
LO:
3│4
REF: p. 144
9. The
idea of _____ is applied to those cases in which the person who was killed had
been the first to use force by drawing a weapon, striking the first physical
blow during an argument, or in some way initiating violence to settle a
dispute.
1. provocation
2. precipitation
3. facilitation
4. penal
couple
ANS:
B
LO: 2│3
REF: p. 154
10.
_____ implies that the loser is more responsible than the victor
for the victimization that occurred.
1. Provocation
2. Precipitation
3. Facilitation
4. Penalization
ANS:
A
LO:
3
REF: p. 154
11.
_____ has been applied when those who get killed play
contributory roles in their deaths by exercising poor judgment, taking
excessive risks, or pursuing a self-destructive lifestyle.
1. Provocation
2. Boost
explanation
3. Facilitation
4. Subintentional
death
ANS:
D
LO:
2│3
REF: p. 154
12.
A(n) _____ would not be considered a victim of murder.
1. bank
robber killed by bank guard
2. offender
killed by use of excessive force by police
3. passerby
hit by police gun fire
4. owner
killed during a robbery
ANS:
A
LO:
1│3
REF: p. 155
13.
A _____ is a classification scheme that aids in the
understanding of what a group has in common and how it differs from others.
1. typology
2. trend
3. rate
4. profile
ANS:
A LO:
7
REF: p. 137
14.
Arguments that the victims of a crime might share responsibility
with their offenders for what happened due to facilitation, precipitation, and
provocation have been characterized as:
1. a
just world outlook
2. victim
defending
3. victim
blaming
4. offender
blaming
ANS:
C
LO:
2
REF: p. 138
15.
_____ challenges whether it is accurate and fair to try to hold
the wounded party accountable to some degree for his or her own injuries or losses.
1. The
just world outlook
2. Victim
defending
3. Victim
4. Offender
blaming
ANS:
B
LO:
2
REF: p. 138
16.
_____ proceeds from the assumption that sometimes the victim
bears some responsibility for the crime.
1. The
just world outlook
2. Victim
defending
3. Victim
blaming
4. Offender
blaming
ANS:
C
LO:
2
REF: p. 138
17.
The belief that people get what they deserve is called _____.
1. the
just world outlook
2. victim
defending
3. victim
blaming
4. offender
blaming
ANS:
A
LO:
1
REF: p. 139
18.
Which of the following is NOT an example of a ‘Technique of
Neutralization’?
1. “That
guy was asking for it!”
2. “They
are a bunch of crooks themselves!”
3. “We
should get a medal for this!”
4. “That
person did not deserve this!”
ANS:
D
LO:
2
REF: p. 139
19.
_____ resists any attempt to shift the burden of full
responsibility off of lawbreakers’ backs and onto the victims’ shoulders.
1. The
just world outlook
2. Offender
defending
3. Victim
blaming
4. Offender
blaming
ANS:
D
LO:
9
REF: p. 142
20.
According to _____, neither the offender nor the victim is the
real culprit.
1. the
just world outlook
2. system
blaming
3. victim
blaming
4. offender
blaming
ANS:
B
LO:
10
REF: p. 142
21.
_____ are operations that dismantle stolen cars and sell the
parts as if they came from legitimate salvage and recycling pipelines.
1. Theft
rings
2. Chop
shops
3. Pawn
shops
4. All
of these
ANS:
B
LO:
11
REF: p. 147
22.
_______ bear no responsibility because they tried to protect
themselves by scrupulously following crime prevention tips suggested by security
specialists to protect personal data.
1. Conscientiously
resisting victims
2. Conventionally
cautious victims
3. Carelessly
facilitating victims
4. Precipitative
initiators
ANS:
A
LO:
4│10
REF: p. 149
23.
Making an offender’s task more difficult through threat
assessment and advanced planning is known as _____.
1. conscientious
resistance
2. conventional
caution
3. careless
facilitation
4. crime
resistance
ANS:
D
LO: 11
REF: p. 172
24.
According to the _____, the number of offenses committed will
not drop when targets are hardened because criminal activity simply will be
displaced.
1. typology
of crime facilitation
2. valve
theory of crime shifts
3. carelessly
facilitating victims theory
4. theory
of precipitative initiators
ANS:
B
LO:
11
REF: p. 172
25.
Minimizing the chances of being harmed when exposure is
unavoidable is known as _____.
1. situational
crime prevention
2. crime
control
3. facilitation
4. risk
management
ANS: D
LO:
10
REF: p. 171
26.
One theory explaining why some groups suffer higher
victimization rates than others calls attention to exact locations rather than
the general lifestyle of particular individuals and is known as the _____
factor
1. risky
lifestyles
2. deviant
place factor
3. equivalent
groups
4. social
ecology
ANS:
B
LO:
8
REF: p. 168
TRUE/FALSE
1. The
idea of shared responsibility suggests that there is a possible explanation for
why a particular person was a crime victim.
2. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
1
REF: p. 135
2. In
accounting for repeat victimizations, the theory of boost explanation focuses
on the offender.
3. true
b. false
ANS:
T LO:
1│3
REF: p. 137
3. Steal-to-sell
operations alter the registration and title documents and vehicle
identification number in what is called jiggling.
4. true
b. false
ANS:
F
LO:
2
REF: p. 147
4. The term
facilitation refers to those situations in which victims carelessly and
unknowingly make it easier for a criminal to commit a theft.
5. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
3
REF: p. 144
5. Auto
theft and burglary are the property crimes most often cited by victimologists
who study the problem of provocation.
6. true
b. false
ANS:
F
LO:
3
REF: p. 144
6. Avoidance
strategies are actions people take to limit personal exposure to dangerous
people and frightening situations.
7. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 10
REF: p. 171
7. Being
a defensive driver is example of becoming crime conscious.
8. true
b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 11
REF: p. 171
8. The
equivalent group explanation holds that crime prevention rests upon
interventions that are designed to block criminal opportunities from developing
in a particular time and place.
9. true
b. false
ANS:
F LO:
8
REF: p.171
9. Installing
surveillance cameras is an example of victimization prevention.
10.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
11
REF: p.171
10.
Out of 36 million alarm activations across the country responded
to by the police, about 95% were false alarms.
11.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
6
REF: p. 145
11.
The first in-depth investigation of what was deemed to be victim
precipitation centered on homicide.
12.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
2
REF: p. 154
12.
The term subintentional death has been applied to situations in
which victims played a contributory role in their own demise.
13.
true b. false
ANS:
D
LO:
3
REF: p. 154
13.
Provocation accuses the loser of being more responsible than the
victor for fight that occurs.
14.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
3
REF: p.154
14.
Arguments that the victims of a crime might share responsibility
with their offenders for what happened due to facilitation, precipitation, and
provocation have been characterized as victim blaming.
15.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO: 2│6
REF: p. 138
15.
Victim defenders challenge whether it is accurate and fair to
try to hold the wounded party accountable in any degree for his or her own
injuries or losses.
16.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
2│6
REF: p. 138
16.
The victim blaming process starts when an assumption is made
that there is something wrong with the victim.
17.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
2│6
REF: p. 138
17.
Offender blaming resists any attempt to shift the burden of full
responsibility off of lawbreakers’ backs and onto the victims’ shoulders.
18.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
1│2
REF: p. 142
18.
Conscientiously resisting victims bear no responsibility because
they tried to protect themselves by scrupulously following crime prevention
tips suggested by security specialists and by purchasing anti-theft devices.
19.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
11
REF: p. 171
19.
Vulnerability refers to a target’s ability to resist and repel
an attack.
20.
true b. false
ANS: T
LO:
8│11
REF: p. 166
20.
Locking the car doors, activating an alarm, and parking in a
well-monitored area are examples of target hardening.
21.
true b. false
ANS:
T
LO:
8│11
REF: p. 171
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. Assume
a scenario where a husband has a long history of physical abuse toward his wife
and children. The wife’s order of protection and previous complaints to the
police have not stopped the abuse. One night, the wife shoots the husband in
his sleep. Examine this scenario from the perspectives of “victim blaming,”
“victim defending,” and “system blaming.”
ANS: Victim blaming would argue the wife should have left him
when the abuse began. She facilitated the crime by staying with her abusive
husband. Victim defending would argue no one is to blame for having violent
crimes committed against them. System blaming would take the angle of arguing
the criminal justice system did not do its job of protecting the wife, noting
the wife did attempt to stop the violence through the orders of protection and
the complaints to the police
LO: 2│6│9 REF:
p. 138-142
2. The
notions of victim facilitation, precipitation, and provocation have been
derived from the broader theme of shared responsibility. Outline and discuss
each of these concepts. Compare and contrast them.
ANS: Victim facilitation refers to when a victim helps an
offender due to their own carelessness. People who do not guard their
possessions carefully are more apt to be partially blamed for the crime. For
example, leaving a purse completely unattended at a bar provides an opportunity
for a would-be thief to take it and run. This is different from victim
precipitation where a victim is believed to contribute significantly to the
crime. This is common in crimes of violence where there is no clear cut
explanation for how the crime was ignited. Precipitation stepped up a notch is
called provocation. This is a stronger term of condemnation than the former.
Here the injured party is thought to have contributed to the responsibility of
the crime through either challenging the offender or inciting the violence that
ensured in some way. Precipitation and provocation have been used
interchangeably in victimology, which is unfortunate as they are two distinct
terms indicating shared responsibility.
LO:
1-3 REF: p. 144-154
3. Arguments
that the victims of crime might share responsibility with their offenders are
common in victimology. Outline and discuss the concepts of victim blaming and
victim defending.
ANS: If a victim has taken steps to reduce the risk of
victimization, she is considered blameless in the crime. In situations where
the crime is a rouse, either for financial gain or to cover up another crime,
the ‘victim’ would be considered responsible. Victim blaming incorporates those
crimes where the victim is seen as being involved with the offender somehow in
the commission of the crime. Victimologists describe a three stage through
process with victim blaming beginning with the idea that there is something
wrong with the victim in terms of their behavior or attitude. Second, these
differences are considered the reason for their victimization. Third, victims
are assumed to want to avoid future victimization through changing their
behavior or attitude. The underlying belief to this thought process is a
justification for others in society; a reasoning for why crime would not happen
to them. “She was a victim because she acted carelessly. I don’t act
carelessly; therefore it won’t happen to me”. The idea of a just world reduces
fear of victimization. Victim defending argues those who blame victims are
overstating the extent to which victims are generally involved in the crime. In
addition, they argue the advice given to reduce victimization is not realistic
given the conditions of, for example, inner city neighborhoods where risk may
not be avoided. Two arguments tend to go with victim defending. First is the
concept of offender blaming where the full responsibility is given to the
offender for the crime. The second is system blaming. This concept advocates
the institutions in our social system are to blame.
LO:
2│6
REF: p.138-143
4. Why
are some individuals chronically victimized? How does this tie into the concept
of shared responsibility?
ANS: Often the focus for shared responsibility are with victims
who have had many experiences with falling prey to crime. It is not uncommon
for offenders to target the same victims multiple times in a period of time. In
fact, being a victim in the past is one of the best predictors of whether an
individual will be harmed again, by the same offender or another one. The more
victimizations one experiences, the higher the probability of future victimization.
Individuals who are chronically victimized tend to hang out in ‘hot spots’,
which are areas with high crime rates. People who have experienced multiple
victimizations are also those who tend to not learn from past mistakes and
routinely do the same things that made them high risk for victimization to
begin with. Analysts offer two reasons for repeat victimizations and these are
boost and flag explanations. The first looks at offender behavior and how
successful crimes tend to dictate the location and person for the second
attempt. For example, a house successfully burglarized is one likely to be
targeted again. Flag explanations focus on victims and refer to vulnerable or
attractive opportunities and targets. For example, taxi drivers are often
mugged because they are an attractive opportunity as they carry good sums of
cash.
LO: 8 REF: 122-124
5. Using
the typologies of different kinds of victims of burglary to illustrate the
differences between complete innocence, facilitation, precipitation,
provocation, and full responsibility.
ANS: Conscientiously resisting victims are blameless in cases of
burglary. They followed all the crime prevention tips and purchased house alarm
systems. These victims take the crime of burglary seriously, even making sure
they have all the receipts, descriptions, and proper insurance coverage for
items in their homes. Conventionally cautious victims locked their houses at
night and made sure some lights were on when they were not home, but did not take
the extra precautions the conscientiously resisting victims did—such as a house
alarm. Therefore, both groups are considered blameless, although they might be
susceptible to criticism for not resisting enough. Carelessly facilitating
victims leave their house doors unlocked and are not conscious of simple risk
avoidance techniques such a leaving a light on in the house when they leave at
night. They are considered partly responsible as they did not remotely attempt
to thwart a burglar’s objective. Precipitative initiators took steps that went
beyond carelessness to facilitate the burglary for their own gain, such as
having their old stereo system stolen from their house so the insurance will
pay for a new one. They may have left the front door wide open, or left for a
trip and did not lock any doors or windows while they were gone. Provocative
conspirators are accomplices to the crime. In other words, the crime would not
have occurred without their assistance. They may seek to pay a criminal to
burglarize their home so they may obtain the insurance money. Finally,
fabricating simulators are not victims because they are making up the story of
burglary for their own fiduciary gain. No crime occurred, except of course the
insurance fraud the so-called victim facilitated.
LO: 3│6
REF: 141,
144-145, 158
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