Crime Victims An Introduction to Victimology 8th Edition Andrew Karmen – Test Bank

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Crime Victims An Introduction to Victimology 8th Edition Andrew Karmen – Test Bank

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Chapter 02

TEST BANK

 

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. When the thirteen American colonies were settled by immigrants from Great Britain, which of the following (in addition to religious beliefs) were the earliest penal codes based on?
   1. tort law
   2. Ben Franklin’s memoirs
   3. English common law
   4. Native American law

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

 

2. After the American Revolution and the adoption of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, how were crimes conceptualized?
   1. as hostile acts directed against the authority of the government
   2. as acts that instilled public fear
   3. as acts that cost the new taxpayers money
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    A         LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

 

3. After the American Revolution, addressing the suffering of individuals in criminal matters was:
   1. foundational to the nation’s system of justice.
   2. deemed to be less important than dealing with the symbolic threat to the social order posed by lawbreakers.
   3. required of the judge in every criminal case.
   4. addressed under civil law.

 

ANS:    B          LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

 

4. After the American Revolution, the powers and responsibilities formerly exercised by crime victims were taken over by whom?
   1. victim’s families
   2. the public at large
   3. public prosecutors
   4. public defense attorneys

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

 

 

5. For much of America’s penal history, which of the following was not a primary goal?
   1. deterring crime through punishment
   2. rehabilitating transgressors through treatment
   3. protecting society by incapacitating dangerous persons in prisons or through executions
   4. ensuring the restoration of crime victims’ financial, emotional, and physical health

 

ANS:    D         LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

 

6. Victims lost their last opportunity to actively participate in the process of presenting their experiences due to:
   1. public prosecutors not calling victims as witnesses at trial.
   2. prosecutors and defense attorneys settling most cases through plea negotiations.
   3. judges not considering the experiences of victims as key evidence.
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    B          LO:      1                      REF: p. 38

 

7. The criminal justice system marginalizes victims by not:
   1. having them as witnesses at trial.
   2. letting them talk to the offender.
   3. informing the victim of the outcome of the case.
   4. letting the victim’s family be witnesses at trial.

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 38

 

8. Which groups brought renewed attention to victims?
   1. self-help advocates.
   2. social scientists.
   3. Journalists
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    D        LO:      2                      REF: p. 38

 

9. Victims can attain a sense of empowerment and regain control over their lives through:
   1. practical assistance.
   2. mutual support.
   3. involvement in the criminal justice process.
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    D         LO:      2                      REF: p. 47

 

10. The first community organizations to empower victims were:
    2. information clearinghouses.
    3. courtroom workgroups.
    4. rape crisis centers and shelters for battered women.

 

ANS: D                        LO:      2│3                 REF: p. 47

 

11. Who normally begins the rediscovery process by bringing attention to a problem?
    1. courts and judges
    2. police agencies
    3. visitors from other countries
    4. activists

 

ANS:    D         LO:      2│3                 REF: p. 47

 

12. The law-and-order movement raised concerns about:
    1. surging crime rates.
    2. tolerance of too much misbehavior.
    3. ‘soft on crime’ policies
    4. all of these.

 

ANS:    D         LO:      2                      REF: p. 39

 

13. How many stages are in the sequential model used to examine the development of the victim’s movements?
    1. one stage
    2. two stages
    3. three stages
    4. four stages

 

ANS:    D         LO:      3                      REF: p. 46-49

 

14. Which stage in the sequential model of rediscovering victims involves the process of typification of victim categories and identifying classic cases?
    1. Stage 1
    2. Stage 2
    3. Stage 3
    4. Stage 4

 

ANS:    A         LO:      3│4                 REF: p. 46

 

15. Which stage of the sequential process of rediscovering victims involves the emergence of an opposition and development of resistance to further change?
    1. Stage 1
    2. Stage 2
    3. Stage 3
    4. Stage 4

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3│4                 REF: p. 48

 

 

16. The most common argument made by opponents in Stage 3 of the rediscovery process is which of the following?
    1. We have not gone far enough in protecting victims.
    2. We have gone too far in protecting victims.
    3. Victims are not defined correctly.
    4. The Victims’ Movement has been exaggerated by advocate groups.

 

ANS:    B          LO:      3│4                 REF: p. 48

 

17. The feminist movement focused on female victims because:
    1. domestic violence and rape victims failed to receive support by the criminal justice system.
    2. there was a need to develop organizations to address female victims needs, like safe houses.
    3. women needed alternative places to seek help.
    4. females cannot count on privileged males a the helm of criminal justice agencies to the lead the struggle.
    5. all of these.

 

ANS:    E          LO:      1│2                REF: p. 39

 

18. Children’s rights groups succeeded at:
    1. stricter reporting requirements of cases of suspected abuse.
    2. awareness of the special needs of children as witnesses
    3. better protection and prevention services.
    4. all of these.

 

ANS: D                        LO:       1│2               REF: p. 41

 

19. Sensationalism refers to how:
    1. politicians use victim’s to their advantage.
    2. criminal justice system embellishes victim experiences.
    3. the media exploits victims to earn better ratings.
    4. how non-profit agencies use tragic victim stories to enhance funding.

 

ANS: C                        LO:       1│2               REF: p. 43

 

20. What is one negative effect of the attention victims receive from business?
    1. businesses tap an underserved population
    2. businesses may over-protect victims
    3. commercial exploitation
    4. publicity often worsens a problem

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 45

 

21. Stage 3 of the victim rediscovery process is marked by which of the following?
    1. the emergence of positive role models for victims
    2. a change in legislature
    3. the emergence of opposition to the victims movement
    4. the emergence of compromise by those involved

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3                      REF: p. 48

22. Victimologists can make their most valuable contributions during which of the following stages of the rediscovery process?
    1. Stage 1
    2. Stage 2
    3. Stage 3
    4. Stage 4

 

ANS:    D         LO:      3                      REF: p. 49

 

23. Which of the following laws mandates convicted sex offenders register with their local police department?
    1. Lee-Anne’s Law
    2. Megan’s Law
    3. Kathy’s Law
    4. Jenna’s Law

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 42

 

24. Which of the following laws mandates that community residents be notified of the arrival of formerly incarcerated sex offenders into their communities?
    1. Lee-Anne’s Law
    2. Megan’s Law
    3. Kathy’s Law
    4. Jenna’s Law

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 42

 

25. False memory syndrome applies to:
    1. robbery victims.
    2. domestic violence victims.
    3. victims of the drug trade.
    4. incest survivors.

 

ANS:    D         LO:      2                     REF: p. 49

 

 

TRUE/FALSE

1. Robbery is classified as a street crime.
2. true b. false

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

 

2. When the thirteen American colonies were settled by immigrants from Great Britain, the earliest penal codes were based on Native American law.
3. true b. false

ANS:    F          LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

3. After the American Revolution and the adoption of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, crimes were re-conceptualized as hostile acts directed against the authority of the government.
4. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

 

4. After the American Revolution, the powers and responsibilities formerly exercised by crime victims were taken over by public prosecutors.
5. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 37

 

5. Victims’ demands to be restored to financial, emotional, and physical health were eventually overshadowed by the goals of deterring crime through punishment and protecting society by incapacitating dangerous persons in prisons or through execution.
6. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1│2                 REF: p. 38

 

6. One outcome of the law-and-order movement was that it raised concerns that offenders were being mistreated by police.
7. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      1│2                 REF: p. 38

 

7. Conservative crime control advocates envisioned punishment that would be swift and sure.
8. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 39

 

8. Some feminists view crime against women as a consequence of inequity in society.
9. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      2                      REF: p. 39

 

9. Black and white victims have always been treated the same by the criminal justice system.
10. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

10. One form of hate crimes are those motivated by the offenders’ disdain for the victims’ presumed sexual orientation.
11. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 48

 

11. Laws named after victims was an effort to by politicians and legislators to gain favorable media attention.
12. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      2│4                REF: p. 48

12. The civil liberties movement contributed to furthering police professionalism.
13. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 41

 

13. The public’s right to know via the media does not conflict with the victim’s right to privacy.
14. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      4                      REF: p. 43

 

14. Commercial exploitation can be a consequence of the attention injured parties are given by businesses.
15. true b. false

ANS:    T          LO:      2│4                 REF: p. 45

 

15. Megan’s Law mandates that community residents be notified of the arrival of formerly incarcerated sex offenders into their communities.
16. true b. false

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 42

 

16. Victimologists who take a conflict approach view clashes between opposing interest groups as an influence on legislation.
17. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      2                      REF: p. 46

 

17. The rediscovery process is in its final stage when activists make headway toward their goals.
18. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      3                     REF: p. 45

 

18. During stage three of the discovery process, backlash may arise if the demands of victims are perceived as excessive.
19. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p. 48

 

19. American feminists joined with a coalition of conservative evangelical Christians to address human trafficking.
20. true b. false

 

ANS:    T         LO:      4                      REF: p. 50

 

 

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. Discuss how the importance of victims and their role in the criminal justice system has changed over time.

 

ANS: In early societies, harm was redressed through direct payment schemes. During the Industrial Revolution, the sense of community changed and with that victims lost control over how the harm they experienced would be resolved. The punishment of offenders became the obligation of the local government through judicial proceedings. Instead of restoring the victim through redressing the harm, the crime was now a crime against the state. Recovery of damages was not as important as the symbolic gesture of establishing social order through punishment of the offender. Obligations of the victim have dwindled down to filing a complaint to initiate the investigation and being a witness in the state’s case.

 

LO:      1                      REF: p. 37 – 42

 

2. Discuss the rediscovery of crime victims during the 1950s and early 1960s. Be sure to include a discussion on the impact of the various social movements of the time period.

 

ANS: The rediscovery of crime victims was instigated through the work of social movements. The focus of the movements was to increase victim’s rights, services, and programs. The women’s movement worked diligently to increase awareness of rape and domestic violence, crimes that impact women disproportionately compared to men. The result of their hard work was the creation of rape crisis centers, battered women shelters, and ultimately policy changes—such as recognizing domestic violence as a violent crime. The law-and-order movement increased awareness of violence and theft as crime rates were increasing during this time period of the 1960’s. The main focus was on increased punishment and more social control over deviant behavior. Finally, the civil rights movement centered their energy on the disparity in the representation of people of color throughout the criminal justice process. In addition, they focused their attention on threats of racial violence such as lynch mobs.

 

LO: 2                           REF: p. 38-42, 45-49

 

3. During the 1980s, elected officials engaged in the political process of enacting new laws named after specific individuals. How/why did this practice arise? What was significant about the individuals for whom legislation was named? Provide examples.

 

ANS: Salient issues raise public awareness and public officials have long used this approach to address other social issues. Starting in the 1980’s, people running for office realized application of this approach might help their election or re-election if they applied it to their ‘get tough on crime’ stance. A known example of this is through the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Named after James Brady, President Reagan’s press secretary, who was shot in the head during an attempt to assassinate the president. The law required a background check on any person seeking to buy a firearm. Though the act of selling a handgun to persons who were deemed dangerous had been illegal since 1968, this new law was seen as being tougher on crime. Other victims, such as Jeannae Clery, Emmett Till, Matthew Shepard, and James Byrd Jr, all suffered heinous crimes and had legislation named after them. Thousands of laws have been enacted in the name of a victim, but the response to this approach has been mixed. Some believe it is a great avenue to bring attention to a serious crime and to mobilize the public around it. Others argue it is another means for politicians to exploit the media for their own personal gain.

 

LO: 2│4                                  REF: p. 42-49

4. Outline and discuss the role of the news media concerning the victim’s plight. Provide both negative and positive aspects.

 

ANS: The role of the media in regards to victims has had mixed reactions. The harm done to the victim and their family has been brought to the public’s attention after years of neglect by the media. In addition, how the criminal justice process treats victims and how the case was resolved have been important observations made available to the public via the media. However, victims have complained about the media sensationalizing the crime to increase their viewership. Victim complaints have also centered around the media intrusion into their privacy. Media coverage tends to be drawn towards crimes serving as ‘attention grabbers’ as opposed to the more common or harmful crimes. Crimes were a stranger was the offender or crimes that were particularly violent receive publicity, whereas these are the types of crimes that are the least likely to happen to members of society.

 

LO:      4                      REF: p. 43-45

 

5. The process of rediscovery usually unfolds through a series of steps and stages. Outline and discuss the sequential model proposed in the text. Use another “rediscovered” group as an example.

 

ANS: The process of rediscovery will be discussed through the recent re-emergence of children who have been sexually abused by clerics. The first step in the process was when the cases were brought to the attention of the media by a group of adults who were molested by a priest when they were young. This caused other victims from other priests to step out and make the public aware of their similar victimization. Activists and other groups undertook the campaign to get the priests removed and to increase public awareness and education. The next stage in the process is when the group starts to get closer to their goals. This stage occurred when various religious groups developed their own committees to examine child sexual victimization within their own religious organizations. Other clerics were charged with sex crimes against children and some organizations developed programs to help the victims. Next the emergence of opposition or resistance to further changes occurs. With the discovered group of child victims by clerics, opposition came from higher up as top officials within the various religious organizations argued against this type of crime being systemic problem within their organizations. Some organizations settled out of court with monetary damages being paid to the victims without publicizing any wrongdoing. Others argued the charges were unfair and could have been induced through false memory syndrome.

 

Chapter 04 TEST BANK

 

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. The social reaction to the taking of a person’s life varies dramatically and can be influenced by:
   1. the offender’s state of mind.
   2. the victim’s possible contribution to the escalation of hostilities.
   3. the social standing of each party
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    D         LO:      3                      REF: p. 86

 

2. ________________ is broadly defined simply as the killing of one human being by another.
   1. 1^stdegree murder
   2. 2^nd degree murder
   3. Homicide
   4. Aggravated assault

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 86

 

3. The law takes into account whether a killing was carried out:
   1. with malice aforethought.
   2. with deliberation.
   3. with justification.
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    D         LO:      1                      REF: p. 87

 

4. If provocation from the victim was ‘voluntary’, the law would define the homicide as:
   1. aggravated assault.
   2. voluntary manslaughter.
   3. first degree manslaughter
   4. second degree murder.

 

ANS:    C          LO:      4                      REF: p. 87

 

5. Most murders are:
   3. cross-gender.
   4. peer-related.

 

ANS:    A         LO:      1                      REF: p. 94

 

 

6. _______ are changes that occur over extended periods of time.
   1. Waves
   2. Trends
   3. Profiles
   4. Rates

 

ANS:    B          LO:      1                      REF: p. 89

 

7. A victim-centered analysis of homicide addresses:
   1. what groups of people are victimized most often
   2. how was the victim killed.
   3. did the victim provoke the murder.
   4. all of these.

 

ANS:    D         LO:      1│3                 REF: p.87

 

8. _____ results in serious injuries or involves attacks or threats of harm with a deadly weapon.
   1. Robbery
   2. Simple assault
   3. Aggravated assault
   4. Burglary

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 91

 

9. Proximity refers to:
   1. how close the victim and offender are to one another
   2. the value of items taken in a robbery or theft.
   3. the presence or absence of a weapon.
   4. the likelihood that a potential victim is carrying anything of value.

 

ANS:    A         LO:      1                      REF: p. 106

 

10. The UCR’s Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR) DOES NOT include information about:
    1. method of killing.
    2. age, sex, and race of victim.
    3. whether the offender was convicted.
    4. whether the victim knew the offender.

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 87

 

11. The lowest level of reported violent victimization occurred in:
    1. 1997
    2. 1975
    3. 2010
    4. 1988

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p.89

 

 

12. Statistically, _____ turns out to be the most important demographic factor associated with differential risks.
    1. age
    2. gender
    3. race
    4. socio-economic status

 

ANS:    C          LO:      2                      REF: p. 94

 

13. In lone-offender, single-victim killings, _____ percent was black offenders killing black victims:
    1. 72
    4. 99

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3                      REF: p. 94

 

14. Which of the following is true about the crime data covering the most recent available 15-year period (1990-2006)?
    1. The rate of robberies rose dramatically.
    2. The rate of robberies fell dramatically.
    3. Conflicting definitions of “robbery” make it impossible to define trends.
    4. There was virtually no change in the rate of robberies.

 

ANS:    B         LO:      1                      REF: p.92

 

15. The peak years of being at risk for being a victim of homicide are:
    1. teenage years.
    2. early 20’s.
    3. early 30’s.
    4. late 70’s.

 

ANS:    B          LO:      3                      REF: p. 94

 

16. When murder rates in various countries are analyzed, higher rates tend to be associated with:
    1. the treatment of women.
    2. great economic inequality.
    3. the average age of the population.
    4. the country’s climate.

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 97

 

17. The NCVS (2010) discovered approximately _____ of robbery victims reported the crime to the police..
    1. 10 percent
    2. 25 percent
    3. 50 percent
    4. 75 percent

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3│4                 REF: p. 91

 

18. When offenders move into striking distance they have established:
    1. co-presence.
    2. an exit strategy.
    3. co-orientation.
    4. target hardening.

 

ANS:    A         LO:      6                      REF: p. 97

 

19. An offender has established _____ when they order victims to surrender their valuables.
    1. co-presence
    2. an exit strategy
    3. co-orientation
    4. target hardening

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3                      REF: p. 98

 

20. __________ individuals out of every 1,000 over the age of 11 were robbed in 2010.
    1. Two
    2. Twenty
    3. Two hundred
    4. Thirty-nine

 

ANS:    A         LO:      4                      REF: p. 101

 

21. Robbers hurt their victims for a number of reasons. Which of these is true?
    1. They are seeking to intimidate the victim.
    2. They are showing off to accomplices.
    3. They experience a loss of self-control.
    4. all of these.

 

ANS:    D        LO:      4                     REF: p. 99

 

22. Approximately _____ percent of robbery victims are wounded.
    1. 25
    2. 37
    3. 17
    4. 50

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 99

 

23. Family income is ______________ with victimization.
    1. positively correlated.
    2. negatively correlated.
    3. inversely correlated.
    4. not related.

 

ANS:    B          LO:      3                      REF: p. 101

 

 

24. _______________ experience robbery at a higher rate than any other demographic.
    1. affluent, elderly women.
    2. white, middle-aged men.
    3. single white males.
    4. young black men.

 

ANS:    D         LO:      3                     REF: p. 102

 

25. Robberies tend to be reported to the police if
    1. there were physical injuries..
    2. the victim knew the offender.
    3. police were present.
    4. the victim fought back.

 

ANS:    A         LO:      4                      REF: p. 102

 

 

TRUE/FALSE

 

1. Not all homicides are punishable as murders.
2. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 86

 

2. Deaths caused by carelessness, accidents, and suicide are not classified as murders.
3. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 87

 

3. In order for a theft to be considered a robbery, the offender must be in possession of a weapon.
4. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      6                      REF: p. 98

 

4. An intentional killing without planning or deliberation is known as second-degree murder.
5. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 87

 

5. The UCR keeps records of the annual number of aggravated assaults, while the NCVS does not.
6. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      1                      REF: p. 91

 

6. Homicide is broadly defined simply as the killing of one human being by another.
7. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      1                      REF: p. 89

 

7. The law takes into account whether a killing was carried out with deliberation.
8. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1│4                 REF: p 89

 

8. Most murders are interracial.
9. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      1                      REF: p. 94

 

9. Profiles refer to changes that occur over extended periods of time.
10. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      1                      REF: p.101

 

10. Sharp increases in crime rates over several consecutive years are commonly known as crime waves.
11. true b. false

 

ANS:    A         LO:      1                      REF: p. 92

 

11. Aggravated assault results in serious injuries or involves attacks or threats of harm with a deadly weapon.
12. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 90

 

12. A person’s sex is a crucial determinant of risk in homicide.
13. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p. 90

 

13. Fifty percent of all homicide victims in 2010 were white.
14. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      3                      REF: p. 90

 

14. Robbers prefer to victimize strangers.
15. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p. 89

 

15. The likelihood of experiencing a crime in the course of one’s lifetime is known as one’s “cumulative risk.”.
16. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      2                      REF: p. 86

 

16. The murder rate varies substantially by geographic location.
17. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p. 94

17. Since World War II, the most ominous change concerning homicides has been the trend toward the decreasing age of both victims and offenders.
18. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1│3                 REF: p. 90

 

18. Overall, approximately 1 out of every 200 Americans will die a violent death.
19. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 94

 

19. An offender has established co-orientation when they order victims to surrender their valuables.
20. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      6                      REF: p. 98

 

20. When offenders move into striking distance, they have established co-presence.
21. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      6                      REF: p. 97

 

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS

 

1. Describe the factors that a potential offender takes into consideration when selecting a victim or target. How can understanding this process assist an individual in reducing his or her likelihood of becoming a crime victim?

 

ANS: Attractiveness is one factor a potential offender might look for, as this would entail expensive looking items being worn by the person or an expensive car. Another dimension is proximity. Most individuals rob or mug others in the neighborhood as this is the closest, easiest target. Proximity provides opportunities, meaning the victim are more readily available. Vulnerability is another variable for consideration. Individuals who are physically, emotionally, or otherwise rendered vulnerable are easier targets and are less likely to resist. In general, offenders take into consideration those variables that will make the crime easier to commit and more likely to succeed.

One can reduce their chances of being a victim if they are aware of the existence of active criminals in their home or work environments, reduce the vulnerabilities, and increase the presence of guardians. For example, neighbors can watch out for vulnerable individuals in the neighborhood. In general, people can analyze their daily activities to evaluate where they can reduce opportunities to be a victim of crime.

 

LO:      5│6                 REF: p. 106-109

 

 

2. Data from UCR and NCVS confirm long-held suspicion certain groups of people are much more likely to be victimized. Provide a descriptive analysis of which groups are more likely to be a victim of murder, aggravated assault, and robbery.

 

ANS: There are differential risks involved with being a victim of murder, aggravated assault, and robbery. In regards to homicide, most victims know their offender. The offender is more often than not a family, friend or acquaintance. Most murders are situational, meaning they arise from a certain circumstance. The typical murder is carried out with a firearm. Most homicide victims are young, black males living in urban areas. This is quite different than robbery. Robbery victims experienced crime by a male stranger. Most robberies involve a weapon but do not harm their victim. The victims tend to be young, males, people of color, low income, and live in urban areas. Finally, victims of aggravated assault appear to mirror the characteristics of murder and robbery, with more youth, people of color, males, and urban dwellers impacted than any other variable of consideration.

 

LO:      1-3                   REF: p. 92 – 97, 101-102,

 

3. It is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of specific precautions to prevent victimization. What is the difference between crime prevention and victim prevention? Identify and discuss three of the crime prevention strategies mentioned in the textbook. Include cost-benefit and risk-benefit analyses.

 

ANS: Crime prevention is aimed at preventing the development or occurrence of illegal activities while victim prevention is aimed at protecting specific people, locations or items from criminal activity. Prevention strategies include avoidance strategies, risk-management tactics, crime prevention through environmental design, target hardening and crime resistance.

 

LO:      5                      REF: p. 110-112

 

4. How does gender impact the differential risk of becoming a victim of the crimes discussed in this chapter?

 

ANS: The most disparate victimization rates are in the crime of rape. Females are far more likely to be harmed through rape than males. Men are more likely to be a victim of homicide. Women are more likely to be killed by the opposite gender, while male homicide victims are killed by other males. Men are more likely to be victims of robbery as well. This is particularly true of young, single men. Affluent, older white women are the least likely to become victim to robbery. As with homicide, males are more likely to be a victim of aggravated assault at the hands of another male.

 

LO:      2                      REF: p. 13, 15, 32

 

5. What has been theorized about risk factors? Why are certain groups more likely to be a victim of crime than others?

 

ANS: Von Hentig (1941, 1948) coined the term risk factors in his effort to argue certain personal attributes impact the likelihood one will be a victim of crime. He thought mentally retarded individuals, immigrants, people of color, less educated and less experienced people were more likely to be targeted by offenders as they are all more vulnerable than the general population. It has also been theorized that situational factors impact risk. The first day of the month is when most people get their social security checks or other benefit checks. This situation creates more risk of being mugged or robbed. Routine Activity theory notes when three variables co-exist, there is an increased risk of victimization. These variables are the existence of motivated offenders, the availability of suitable people or possessions, and the presence of guardians, either people, animals or gadgets. Another theory is Lifestyle Exposure Theory argues a person’s lifestyle has a great influence on exposure to risk of victimization. People who go out a lot, drink in public places, or are reliant on public transportation as part of their lifestyle choices are more at risk than others. These are some of the lifestyle choices of young people, which is why we see them overrepresented in victimization statistics. In conjunction with this, deviant lifestyles increase the chance of being victimized. A related concept is deviant place factor, which focuses more on place than person. There are certain areas where more crimes take place and more exposure to these places increases risk.

 

LO:      2│6                 REF: p. 106-108