Chapter 3
Chapter 3
• Website link:
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc
Problems of Crime Victims
• Economic Loss:
Problems of Crime Victims
• Violent crime by juveniles costs $158 billion per year
• Total economic costs of crime amounts to $450 billion
annually
• The costs of crime for each U.S. citizen is $1,800 annually
• Victims suffer long term losses in earnings and occupational
attainment
• Research suggests crime victims during adolescence earn
about $82,000 less than nonvictims
Problems of Crime Victims
• System Abuse
Callous handling of victims by police
Holding of personal property for evidence
Rape victims report feeling “re-raped”
Economic hardships due to trials
Problems of Crime Victims
• Antisocial Behavior
Victims are more likely to commit crimes themselves
Being abused increases the odds of one being arrested (cycle of
violence)
Both males and females are affected by the cycle of violence
The Nature of Victimization
• Victim Characteristics
Gender:
• Males are more likely to be victims of violent crime than
females, except for rape and sexual assault
• Females are more likely to be victimized by someone they
know, whereas males are more likely to be victimized by
strangers
Age:
• Young people are more at risk of victimization than older
people
• People over 65 only account for 1 percent of violent
victimizations (most being frauds and scams)
Figure 3.4 Violent Crime Rates by Age of Victim
The Nature of Victimization
• Social Status
Poor people are more likely to experience violent and property
crime
The wealthy are more likely to be targets of personal theft crimes
The Nature of Victimization
• Marital Status
Never-married people are more likely to be victimized than
married people
Widows and widowers have the lowest victimization rate
CNN Clip - Anti-Immigrant House Bombing
The Nature of Victimization
• Repeat Victimization
Individuals who have been a crime victim have a significantly
higher chance of future victimization
Characteristics which increase potential for victimization
• Target vulnerability
• Target gratifiability
• Target antagonism
The Nature of Victimization
• Victims’ Rights
Legal scholars have suggested crime victims have legal rights
and society is obliged to ensure basic rights for law-abiding
citizens
Thirty-three states have added victim’s rights amendments to
their constitutions
A national Constitutional Amendment has been debated but has
not yet passed Congress
In 2004, the Senate passed S.2329 a bill to provide rights to
federal victims of crime, which does not change the Constitution
Caring for the Victim
• Victim Advocacy
Advocates provide assistance to crime victims by interacting with
police, courts, and legal aid
Advocates may assist in the writing of victim statements for
various legal proceedings such as sentencing and
probation/parole hearings.
Advocates may interact with media trying to ensure reporting is
accurate and that privacy is not violated
Caring for the Victim
• Self-Protection
Target hardening involves making one’s home and business
crime proof
Use of fences, guards, surveillance cameras, window bars,
warning signs, and dogs
Gary Kleck suggests armed victims kill between 1,500 and 2,800
potential felons each year
Caring for the Victim
• Community Organization
Neighborhood watch programs
Community newsletters
Home security surveys
Lighting projects