Victimology attempts to understand why some people are more prone than
others in becoming victims of crime.
Of course, these theories are not inferring right and wrong, they are establishing
cause and effect. They do not suggest, 'as the victim did x, therefore the
victim deserved it.'
1. Victim Precipitation Theory
"According to victim precipitation theory, some people may actually initiate
the confrontation that eventually leads to their injury or death."
Examples:
"In 1971, Menachem Amir suggested female rape victims often contribute to
their attacks by... pursuing a relationship with the rapist."
"A woman may become the target of domestic violence when she increases her
job status and her success results in a backlash from a jealous spouse or
partner."
Victim Impulsivity:
"A number of research efforts have found that both male and female victims
have an impulsive personality that might render them abrasive and obnoxious,
characteristics that might incite victimization."
"It is possible that impulsive people are not only antagonistic and therefore
more likely to become targets, but they also are risk takers who get involved in
dangerous situations and fail to take precautions."
Victim Precipitation Theory:
Victim precipitation theory is a criminological concept that suggests that victims
may contribute to their own victimization to some extent. This theory proposes
that certain actions, behaviours, or characteristics of the victim may initiate or
escalate the criminal act. It can be divided into two main types: active and
passive precipitation:
Active Precipitation: In cases of active precipitation, the victim plays an
active role in provoking or initiating the criminal act. This could involve
verbal or physical aggression towards the offender, leading to a violent
response. For example, a heated argument escalating into a physical
altercation due to aggressive behaviour from the victim.
Passive Precipitation: Passive precipitation occurs when the victim's
behaviour or characteristics unintentionally contribute to their
victimization. This could involve factors such as leaving valuable items
unattended, walking alone in a dangerous area late at night, or displaying
vulnerable behaviours that attract offenders.
2. Lifestyle Theory
"Some criminologists believe people may become crime victims because their
lifestyle increases their exposure to criminal offenders."
Examples:
"Single women who drink frequently and have a prior history of being sexually
assaulted are most likely to be assaulted on [college] campus."
"People who belong to groups that have an extremely risky life—homeless,
runaways, drug users—are at high risk for victimization; the more time they are
exposed to street life, the greater their risk of becoming crime victims."
3. Deviant Place Theory
"The more often victims visit dangerous places, the more likely they will be
exposed to crime and violence. Victims do not encourage crime, but are victim
prone because they reside in socially disorganized high-crime areas where
they have the greatest risk of coming into contact with criminal offenders,
irrespective of their own behaviour or lifestyle."
4. Routine Activities Theory
"...the volume and distribution of predatory crime (violent crimes against a
person and crimes in which an offender attempts to steal an object directly) are
closely related to the interaction of three variables that reflect the routine
activities of the typical American lifestyle:"
1. "The availability of suitable targets, such as homes containing easily
saleable goods."
2. "The absence of capable guardians, such as police, homeowners,
neighbours, friends, and relatives." "Even the most desperate criminal
might hesitate to attack a well-defended target." "[A]n undefended yet
attractive target (not referring to sexual) becomes an irresistible objective
for motivated criminals."
3. "The presence of motivated offenders, such as a large number of
unemployed teenagers."
