Victimology and Canadian Surveys

Housekeeping Items

• Assignment Tutorial with Sam: November 7
• Trigger Warning: material contains images that may be upsetting or triggering.

Introduction

• Victimology is a sub-field of criminology.
• It focuses on the relationship between victims and perpetrators of crimes within the context of social institutions, such as the criminal justice system.
• Victimization Surveys are also part of the introduction.

Canadian Victimization Surveys

• VAWS (Violence Against Women Survey) surveys Canadian women about violence inside and outside the home, sexual violence, physical violence, and perceptions of fear.
• 50% of women reported experiencing at least one incident of violence since the age of 16, according to the VAWS.
• Victimization among Indigenous Peoples within families is disproportionately higher than in the general population.

Canadian Victimization Surveys (Indigenous Women)

• Indigenous women are more likely to experience both physical and sexual abuse by a partner than non-Indigenous women.
• Abuse reported by Indigenous women is more violent than abuse reported by non-Indigenous women.
• Indigenous women are twice as likely to be victimized by assault with a weapon, beating or strangulation, threats involving a firearm or knife, or by being forced into committing sexual acts.

Victim Characteristics: Age

• The 15-24 age group has the highest rates of victimization across all major categories (sexual assault, robbery, physical assault, and theft of personal property).
• Lifestyle choices, such as staying out later and going out more often, may contribute to a higher risk of victimization in this age group.
• The 65 and over age group has the lowest rates of victimization across all major categories.

Victim Characteristics: Gender

• Women in Canada are more likely to be victims of sexual assault and theft.
• Men in Canada are more likely to be victims of robbery and assault.

Victim Characteristics: Household Income

• Households with income over $100,000 are more likely to have their homes vandalized or broken into.
• This is likely due to the higher value of possessions in these households.

Victim Characteristics: Marital Status

• Intimate Partner Violence is more likely to be committed by men against women.
• When women commit intimate partner violence, they are more likely to use a weapon. This is likely due to the power difference between individuals.

Victim Characteristics: Sexual Orientation

• LGBTQ+ individuals experience victimization at a rate 2.5 times higher than heterosexual individuals.

Victim Characteristics: Race and Ethnicity

• Racial discrimination is overrepresented in the Canadian justice system (CJS).
• Black people are 5% of those who are subject to street checks in Vancouver, but only represent 1% of the population.
• Indigenous women are also disproportionately likely to be the target of street checks.

Intimate Partner Violence: Discussion

• Studies have revealed that spousal violence is dramatically underreported to the police.
• Possible explanations for this underreporting include fear of retaliation, distrust of the police, and shame.
• Watching the videos examining intimate partner violence raises questions about the existence of double standards and the need for greater intervention from all sources.

Victimology Theories

• Victimology theories emerged in the late 1970s.
• These theories shifted the focus away from victim characteristics and toward the choices made by victims.
• Key theories include Lifestyle Theory and Routine Activities Theory.

Lifestyle Theory

• This theory suggests that some people experience a greater risk of victimization due to their lifestyle habits and behavior patterns.
• Related Hypotheses include those based on:
• Equivalent Group Hypothesis: Victims and perpetrators share similar characteristics, increasing risks.
• Proximity Hypothesis: Living risky lifestyles increases the risk of victimization
• Deviant Place Hypothesis: Certain areas have higher rates of criminal activity.

Discussion (Homelessness)

• The Deviant Place Hypothesis could be used to explain the higher rates of victimization among homeless individuals, since homeless individuals are often located in areas where crime is more likely.

Theoretical Models and Victim Typologies

• Routine Activities Theory suggests that easy victimization opportunities are created by routine activities making individuals more likely to be targeted.
• This theory focuses on three key elements:
• Motivated offender(s)
• Suitable target(s)
• Absence of capable guardian(s)

Bullying

• Bullying involves asserting power through aggression, aiming to control victims physically, emotionally, and socially.
• Data reveals a pattern of increased bullying with age; younger individuals are more likely to be targeted by older peers.

Bullying: Discussion

• Application of Routine Activities Theory to bullying videos can help to understand the conditions that make individuals more vulnerable to bullying.
• Strategies for combating bullying, including the role of schools, family, and communities in intervening, are crucial.

Cyberbullying

• Cyberbullying methods in videos are presented.
• Consideration is given to the question of whether online bullying is worse than physical bullying.
• Education on the potential negative impacts of cyberbullying for children is recommended via various channels (school, family, community).
• Applying Routine Activities Theory to cyberbullying is discussed and examined.

Online Bullying/Cyberbullying

• Discusses prevention strategies proposed by the RCMP regarding online and cyberbullying.

Victimology

• Victimology theories aid in understanding and minimizing victimization.
• It's crucial to avoid blaming victims.
• Every crime has consequences, including material/personal loss, physical suffering, and emotional distress.