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Victimology Case Study

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Victimology is a study that refers to the emotional, economic and physical impairment of individuals suffering because of unlawful actions or omissions. The concept was initially used in 1947 by Beniamin Mendelsohn (Newburn, 2013). Basically, this study examines the victims predicament, that is the effect of the harms and lose imposed by offenders on their population target. In addition, it also examines how officers and agencies in the criminal justice system handle victims (Karmen, 2013). In the following essay an attempt will be made to discuss a case study about a late blinded police officer Mr. David Rathband who was victimized on duty. Firstly, this essay will identify and critical evaluate the relevant theory(s). Secondly, discuss different …show more content…

Theories

2.1 Lifestyle exposure theory Lifestyle exposure theory is a victimization theory that acknowledges the fact that not everyone leads the same lifestyle as the next person. Some lifestyles expose individuals to more harm than the other. Lifestyle refers to "routine daily activities, both vocational activities (work, school, keeping house, etc.) and leisure activities" (Hindelang, Gottfredson, and Garofalo 1978, p. 241). Both or one of the activities can result in a person being victimized. Demographic characteristics such as minority, single persons and males are risk factors of victimization as well as social status such as education, income and employment (Holtfreter, Reisig & Pratt, 2008). The case study links with this theory since the late Mr. Rathband vocation exposed him to being victimized and fits the demographic characteristics …show more content…

The theory looks at victimization from the criminals’ point of view. (Akers & Sellers, 2004). This theory states that victimization has an increased likelihood of occurring in the presence of three essential conditions namely motivated offender, suitable target and absence of a capable guardian. This theory focuses on the conditions of which victimization can occur. There is a link between all three conditions. Victimization can only be committed when a motivated criminal meets a suitable target in the absence of a capable guardian (Miller, 2012). On the contrary, the absence of any of these elements can be sufficient to prevent victimization from taking place (Branic, 2015). Crime and victimization is the outcome of an opportunity that presents itself during social activities that take place on the streets on the daily basis. This theory is thus significantly associated to the case study in the following

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Routine activity theory provides insights by explaining that a crime requires the presence of a suitable target (Shymko),without such a target, the motivated offender lacks the necessary incentives to commit a crime (Shymko). Motivated offenders consider two primary factors when determining an individual as a suitable target. The first factor is the absence of an effective guardian who can prevent criminal acts. In the absence of one, the likelihood of criminal activity increases significantly (Shymko). Potential offenders are aware that there is no one to hold them accountable or prevent their actions.

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A study concerning integrated theory where data used came from two waves of surveys that contained multiple life domain, offending, and demographic measures, examined if life domains could predict victimization with contemporaneous effects, lagged effects, interactive effects, and a measure of prior victimization (Gubb, 2015). The results from the research found a significant level of support for the fourth hypothesis, the temporal ordering of victimization and offending. The most consistent and important findings discovered related to peer domain, offending, and prior victimization variables. The research pointed to the influence of a reduced model where victimization might be predicted generally by facets of routine activity theory and involvement in risky lifestyle (Gubb,

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It does not consider other factors such as criminal associations, individual traits, and inner strains, which plays a significant role in determining punishment for the individuals in committing crimes. It is observed that this theory endeavours to know that whether the activities of crime as well as the victim’s choice, criminals commit the activities on start from rational decisions. The theory also determines that criminals consider different elements before committing crime. They engage in the exchange of ideas before reaching on any final decision. These elements consist of consequences of their crimes, which include revealing their families to problems or death, chances of being arrested, and others elements, which comprises of placement of surveillance systems (Walsh & Hemmens, 2010; Lichbach,

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Mendelsohn calls the victim and his offender the ‘Penal couple '. The victim offender relationship may contain origin of victimization. The inhibitions and offender may have seemed to change according to the type of qualities the victim possesses. The attitude and behaviour of the victim influences the offender and which makes possible the criminal act.

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