Aim: Can you avoid becoming a victim? How would you react if you become the victim of a crime?

Victimology Victimology A field of criminology that examines the role the victim plays in precipitating a criminal incident. A field of criminology that examines the role the victim plays in precipitating a criminal incident. 1. Who is the victim? 2. What is the impact of the crime on the victim? 3. What happens to the victim? 4. What role did the victim play in causing the crime they are suffering from?

Who is Victimized? If you have already been the victim of a crime you are more likely to be victimized again. If you have already been the victim of a crime you are more likely to be victimized again. The Lifestyle Exposure Model used by criminologists suggests that a person’s race, age, gender, and income affect their lifestyle which in turn affects their exposure to becoming a victim. The Lifestyle Exposure Model used by criminologists suggests that a person’s race, age, gender, and income affect their lifestyle which in turn affects their exposure to becoming a victim.

Victimization Rates for Violent Crimes Teenage White Males= 90 Teenage Black Males= 113 Teenage White Females= 55 Teenage Black Females= 94 Young Adult White Males= 52 Young Adult Black Males= 80 Young Adult White Females= 38 Young Adult Black Females= 57 Adult White Males= 18 Adult Black Males= 35 Adult White Females= 15 Adult Black Females= 13 Elderly White Males= 6 Elderly Black Males= 12 Elderly White Females= 3 Elderly Black Females= 10 Victimization Rate per 1,000 persons

What does the Victim Experience with the Criminal Justice System? Victims suffer physical, psychological, and economic losses. Victims suffer physical, psychological, and economic losses. Victims gets lost in the system. The accused seems to have more rights than the victim. Victims gets lost in the system. The accused seems to have more rights than the victim. Victims often miss time from work and family; because of injury and/or time at court. Victims often miss time from work and family; because of injury and/or time at court. Victims tend to feel that they have been victimized twice, once by the criminal and once by the Criminal Justice System. Victims tend to feel that they have been victimized twice, once by the criminal and once by the Criminal Justice System.

Acquaintances vs. Strangers Who commits more crime against a person; an acquaintance or a stranger? Female victims are attacked by strangers 32% of the time compared to 68% by acquaintances. Female victims are attacked by strangers 32% of the time compared to 68% by acquaintances. Male victims are attacked by strangers 57% of the time compared to 43% by acquaintances. Male victims are attacked by strangers 57% of the time compared to 43% by acquaintances. People are less likely to report a crime that was committed by a family member or close friend. People are less likely to report a crime that was committed by a family member or close friend. Most violent crimes against women are committed by husbands, boyfriends, and other family members. Most violent crimes against women are committed by husbands, boyfriends, and other family members.

Impact of Crime on Society Crime impacts the victim as well as society as a whole: Crime impacts the victim as well as society as a whole: Crime leads to higher taxes Crime leads to higher taxes Crime leads to higher prices Crime leads to higher prices Crime leads to fear Crime leads to fear These factors impact American values such as individual liberty, protection of private property, and personal wealth.

Conclusion To avoid becoming a crime victim; take proper precautions, use common sense, and cooperate with police if you witness a crime. If you do become a victim; remain calm, get help, and cooperate with the police and criminal justice system to help them catch the perpetrator, so they cannot victimize someone else.