Crime Victims in Context

by Kennedy, Leslie W.; Sacco, Vincent F.

• ISBN13: 9780195329773
• ISBN10: 0195329775
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This is the most up-to-date and thought-provoking undergraduate text on the controversial topic of victimology available. It features a lively, engaging writing style. Designed for the American college and university market, this book is groundbreaking in its integrated approach to the study of society's crime victims and the forces that influence their victimization. This approach eases instruction by encouraging students to engage in critical thinking about victims--helping students understand how victimization relates to the social context in which victims live. Crime Victims in Context explores the following themes: * Ways in which the victim role is constructed in the media, in public discourse, and in political responses to crime. This sets the stage for rethinking the meaning of victimization. * Approaching victimization as a social event--the social exchanges, or transactions, between victim and offender. * An exploration of the aftermath of crime--examining the effects of crime on the victim, including the physical and socio-emotional costs of victimization. * Responses by the criminal justice system in the adjudication of offender guilt as well as victim support groups. Coverage includes both sides of such controversial issues as fear of crime, victim blaming, the "abuse excuse," white-collar victimization, and restorative justice. The discussion of culture and the discussion of victims and victimization as moral stratification are innovative features of this text. There is extensive treatment of victimization theories and a review of data-collection procedures used in collecting information about victimization. Numerous examples drawn from real life and recent research serve to illustrate points throughout the book. Internet references are also included.

Table of Contents

The Meaning of Victimization

The Ambiguous Character of Criminal Victimization Defining Victims and Victimization Culture and Victimization Victimizers Victimization Victims

The Innocence of Victims Blaming the Victim

A Culture of Victimization?

The Victim's Identity Summary and Conclusion

Cultural Images of Victimization Media Discourse

The News Media Crime Content of News Victims in the News Making Crime

News Newsworthiness

News Agencies as Bureaucracies Victims in the News Production Process

Media Waves and Media Wars

Entertainment Movies Police and Crime Shows True Crime Genres

Popular Discourse Talking About Crime Urban Legends

Some Implications of Crime Discourses

The Connection Between Media and Popular Discourse

Summary and Conclusions

The Political Context of Victimization

The Shifting Victim Role Rising Crime Rates

The Politicization of Crime Movement

Linkage Offender Bashing Net-Widening Failure to Address the Causes of Crime

The Emphasis on Conventional Crime Heightening the Fear of Crime

The Intensification of Conflict Stigmatization of Victims Weakening Social Ties and Increasing Dependency

Delaying Processes of Natural Healing Unmet Expectations

Defining Victims and Victim Issues

Constructing Social Problems

onstructing Victim Issues

Claimsmakers Claims About Victim Issues

The Claimsmaking Process

Summary and Conclusions

Victims: The Research Context

The Research Context Police Data

The Uniform Crime Reports Problems With UCR Data Victimization Surveys

The National Crime Victimization Survey Advantages and Limitations of Victimization Surveys

The NCVS and the UCR The Offender Self-Report Study

Summary and Conclusions

Victims and Criminological Theory Criminology and Crime Victims

The Criminal Opportunity Lifestyle-Exposure Theory

Routine Activities Theory

Victimization and Opportunity Victim-Offender Interaction Victim Precipitation

The Situated Transaction Victims and Victim Theories

The Criminal Event Perspective

Summary and Conclusions

Setting the Context for Victimization: Personal Safety, Risk, and Dangerous Locations

Perceptions of Personal Safety: Constructing the Social Context of Victimization

Risky Lifestyles: Exposure and Propensity to Crime Dangerous Locations

Crime Prevention Victim-Based Prevention Offender-Based Prevention Community-Based Prevention Combined Approaches

Summary and Conclusions

Victim Experiences Event Precursors Structural Position

Victim Offender Relationship: From Strangers to Intimates Strangers Intimates Friends and Acquaintances

The Transaction Situational Dynamics of Household Victimization: Private Problems Spousal Violence Child

Abuse Property Crimes Crimes in Public Life on the Street Victim Retaliation: The Role of

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