Victims and Victimization Chapter 3

Questions and Answers

What is the role of victims in the crime process according to victimology?

Victims are not involved in the crime.

Victims are responsible for the crime.

Victims are viewed as passive recipients. (correct)

Victims have no influence in the crime process.

What is victimology?

The study of the role that victims play in the crime process.

Who are victimologists?

Criminologists who focus their attention on crime victims.

What does NCVS indicate about criminal incidents annually?

24 million criminal incidents. Signup and view all the answers

What are some costs of victimization?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What did Mark Cohen focus on regarding economic costs of victimization?

Total cost of a criminal act including intangibles. Signup and view all the answers

What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

A psychological reaction to a highly stressful event. Signup and view all the answers

What are some symptoms that childhood stress victims may suffer from?

A and C only Signup and view all the answers

What impact does early victimization have on a person's adult relationships?

It can make them vulnerable to intimate partner violence. Signup and view all the answers

How do victims perceive the criminal justice system?

As a secondary source of victimization. Signup and view all the answers

What may contribute to long-term stress for victims?

Lack of support from professionals, family, or friends. Signup and view all the answers

What are some fears experienced by victims, especially regarding re-victimization?

Fear of repeat attacks and anxiety about safety. Signup and view all the answers

What is vicarious fear?

Fear developed from exposure to violence on a routine basis. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Victim's Role

Victims are often seen as passive individuals caught in adverse situations.
From the late 1960s, emphasis shifted to how victim behavior influences crime, questioning factors like being out alone in dangerous areas.

Victimology

Focuses on understanding victims' roles and impacts within the crime process.

Victimologists

Specialized criminologists concentrating on studying crime victims and their experiences.

Victimization's Toll on Society

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) estimates around 24 million criminal incidents each year.
Costs encompass property damage, emotional distress, lost wages, and ongoing fear of re-victimization.

Economic Costs of Victimization

Mark Cohen introduced a broader view of crime costs, including intangible losses such as pain and emotional trauma.
Average murder incurs nearly $9 million in societal costs, with national crime-related losses totaling approximately $190 billion annually.
Societal, criminal justice, crime career, and individual costs contribute to extensive economic impacts.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD manifests as a response to traumatic events, with symptoms including depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares.

Childhood Stress

Violent crime survivors, particularly those victimized before age 12, are prone to long-term psychological and health issues, including long-lasting PTSD.
Lack of support exacerbates their vulnerability to mental health issues and negative life outcomes.

Relationship Stress

Childhood trauma affects adults, increasing vulnerability to intimate partner violence (IPV).
IPV victims have a high likelihood of encountering severe mental health conditions, including various anxiety disorders and PTSD.

Abuse by the System

Victims may encounter secondary victimization through legal systems, including lost income due to court involvement and fear of retaliation.
Victim-blaming contributes to stress, leading to potential false identifications in legal contexts.

Policies and Issues in Criminology

Long-term consequences of trauma include diverse psychological disorders stemming from both physical and emotional abuse in relationships.
Adolescent victims are especially susceptible to developing PTSD and other coping issues such as substance abuse and self-harm.

Fear

Vulnerable groups (elderly, impoverished, minorities) often experience heightened fear of re-victimization, creating a cycle of anxiety surrounding safety.
Violent crime victims are profoundly impacted by the possibility of repeated attacks.

Vicarious Fear

Individuals regularly exposed to violence can develop vicarious fear, intensified by sensationalized media coverage of crime.
Exposure to distressing news can amplify community fear and shape public perceptions of safety.

Description

Explore the concepts of victimology and the victim's role in the crime process in Chapter 3. This quiz emphasizes the evolution of how victims are perceived and their behavior's impact on criminal occurrences. Gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of victimization.