Crime Victims An Introduction to Victimology

by Karmen, Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780495006039
• ISBN10: 0495006033
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-16
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

CRIME VICTIMS: AN INTRODUCTION TO VICTIMOLOGY is a innovative and comprehensive guide that offers balanced coverage on this controversial subject. A must-have for anyone interested in this field!

Table of Contents

1 What Is Victimology?	1	(24)
The Plight of Crime Victims	1	(1)
Studying Victimization Scientifically	2	(1)
Why Objectivity is Necessary	3	(5)
Victims or Offenders?	4	(1)
Criminals as Victims	5	(1)
Victims Versus "Good Guys"	6	(2)
Victimology's Undeserved "Bad Reputation'	8	(2)
Sources of Bias	10	(2)
The Origins of Victimology	12	(1)
Victimology Compared to Criminology	13	(5)
Parallels Between Criminology and Victimology	13	(2)
Differences and Boundaries	15	(1)
The Interface with Other Disciplines	16	(1)
Divisions within the Discipline	17	(1)
Why Study Victimology?	18	(1)
What Victimologists Do	18	(4)
Step 1: Identify, Define, and Describe the Problem	18	(1)
Step 2: Measure the True Dimensions of the Problem	19	(2)
Step 3: Investigate How Victims Are Handled	21	(1)
Step 4: Gather Evidence to Test Hypotheses	22	(1)
Chapter Summary	22	(1)
Key Terms	23	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	23	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	23	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	24	(1)
2 The Rediscovery of Crime Victims	25	(18)
The Discovery of Crime Victims	25	(1)
The Decline of Crime Victims	25	(2)
The Rediscovery of Crime Victims	27	(6)
Social Movements: Taking Up the Victims' Cause	27	(3)
Elected Officials: Enacting Legislation Named After Victims	30	(1)
The News Media: Portraying the Victims' Plight	31	(2)
Commercial Interests: Selling Products and Services to Victims	33	(1)
Victimology Contributes to the Rediscovery Process	33	(6)
Stage 1: Calling Attention to an Overlooked Problem	34	(1)
Stage 2: Winning Victories, Implementing Reforms	35	(2)
Stage 3: Emergence of an Opposition and Development of Resistance to Further Changes	37	(1)
Stage 4: Research and Temporary Resolution of Disputes	38	(1)
Rediscovering Additional Groups of Victims	39	(1)
Chapter Summary	40	(1)
Key Terms	41	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	42	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	42	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	42	(1)
3 Sources of Information about Crime Victims: The UCR and the NCVS	43	(17)
Crime in the Streets: The Big Picture	43	(5)
The Use and Abuse of Statistics	44	(1)
Interpreting Statistics	45	(3)
A Closer Look at the Two Official Sources of Victimization Data	48	(7)
The Uniform Crime Report (UCR)	49	(2)
The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)	51	(3)
Comparing the UCR and the NCVS	54	(1)
Using Data to Bring the Big Picture into Focus	55	(3)
Chapter Summary	58	(1)
Key Terms	58	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	59	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	59	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	59	(1)
4 Violent Crimes: Murders and Robberies	60	(35)
Focusing on Murders	61	(13)
Using the UCR to Analyze Murders	61	(2)
Searching for Crime Waves: Detecting Trends in Interpersonal Violence	63	(8)
Making International Comparisons	71	(3)
Assessing Comparative Risks: Putting Crime into Perspective	74	(1)
Focusing on Robberies	75	(5)
Robbers and Their Victims	75	(1)
Using the NCVS to Analyze Robberies	76	(3)
Differential Risks of Being Robbed	79	(1)
Projecting Cumulative Risks	80	(3)
The Search for Risk Factors	83	(10)
The Determinants of Differential Risks: Routine Activities and Lifestyles	84	(2)
Reducing Risks: How Safe Is Safe Enough?	86	(1)
Ambivalence about Risk Taking	87	(1)
From Crime Prevention to Victimization Prevention	88	(1)
Criminals as Victims	89	(3)
Deterrence Theory as Applied to Victims	92	(1)
Chapter Summary	93	(1)
Key Terms	93	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	94	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	94	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	94	(1)
5 The Victims' Contribution to the Crime Problem	95	(36)
The Question of Shared Responsibility	96	(9)
The Controversy over Shared Responsibility	97	(3)
Victim Facilitation, Precipitation, and Provocation	100	(3)
The Frequency of Shared Responsibility in Violent Crimes	103	(1)
Recognizing Complete Innocence and Full Responsibility	104	(1)
Victim Blaming Versus Victim Defending	105	(2)
Victim Facilitation and Auto Theft: Is It the Careless Who Wind Up Carless?	107	(9)
Stealing Cars for Fun and Profit	107	(3)
Which Motorists Should Be Most Concerned When Parking Their Cars?	110	(6)
Victim Facilitation and Identity Theft: Which Precautions Are Reasonable?	116	(8)
The Nature of the Problem	116	(2)
Differential Risks of Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft	118	(1)
Losses and Suffering	119	(1)
Laws and Law Enforcement	120	(1)
Blaming Victims for Ignoring Risk-Reduction Strategies	121	(3)
Victim Defending: Facilitation Is Not the Heart of the Problem	124	(1)
Transcending Victim Blaming and Victim Defending	124	(2)
The Legal Importance of Determining Responsibility	126	(3)
Chapter Summary	129	(1)
Key Terms	129	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	130	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	130	(1)
Suggested Research Topics	130	(1)
6 Victims and the Criminal Justice System: Cooperation and Conflict; Part One: The Police	131	(23)
Victims Versus the Criminal Justice System	132	(1)
What Do Victims Want: Punishment? Treatment? or Restitution?	132	(3)
Victims and the Police	135	(17)
Reporting Incidents	136	(3)
Responding Quickly	139	(1)
Handling Victims with Care	140	(1)
Challenging the Victim's Version of Events	141	(3)
Investigating Complaints and Solving Crimes	144	(4)
Arresting Suspects and Seizing Evidence	148	(1)
Recovering Stolen Property	149	(2)
Measuring Progress toward a Victim-Oriented Police Department	151	(1)
Chapter Summary	152	(1)
Key Terms	152	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	152	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	153	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	153	(1)
7 Victims and the Criminal Justice System: Cooperation and Conflict; Part Two: Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys Judges, and Corrections Officials	154	(25)
Victims and Prosecutors	155	(8)
Assisting Victims and Other Witnesses for the State	156	(1)
Protecting Victims Who Serve as Witnesses for the Prosecution	157	(3)
Dismissing Charges and Rejecting Cases	160	(1)
Negotiating Pleas	161	(2)
Victims and Defense Attorneys	163	(3)
Postponing Hearings	163	(1)
Cross-Examining Witnesses during Trials	164	(2)
Victims and Judges	166	(6)
Granting Bail	166	(1)
Sentencing Offenders	166	(3)
Appealing to the Supreme Court	169	(3)
Victims and Corrections Officials	172	(2)
Keeping Track of Offenders and Receiving Reimbursement from Them	172	(1)
Influencing Parole Board Decisions	172	(2)
And Justice for All?	174	(2)
Recognizing "Second-Class" Treatment	174	(2)
Chapter Summary	176	(1)
Key Terms	177	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	177	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	177	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	178	(1)
8 Children as Victims	179	(33)
The Ongoing Debate Between Maximalists and Minimalists	180	(1)
Missing Children	180	(10)
The Absence of Data Heightens Fears about the Problem	181	(3)
Estimates of the Incidence and Seriousness of the Problem	184	(1)
Hunting for Children Who Have Vanished	185	(3)
The Possibility of the Stockholm Syndrome	188	(1)
Protecting Children	189	(1)
Physically and Sexually Abused Children	190	(12)
The Rediscovery of Child Abuse	190	(1)
How Children Suffer	191	(2)
Estimates of the Incidence, Prevalence, and Seriousness of Child Abuse	193	(3)
More Controversies Surrounding Childhood Sexual Abuse	196	(6)
Abused Children and Legal Proceedings	202	(5)
Taking the Best Interests of the Child into Account	203	(1)
The Credibility of Children as Witnesses	204	(1)
Devising Child-Friendly Practices	205	(2)
Proactive Versus Reactive Strategies	207	(1)
Additional Forms of Exploitation and Mistreatment of Young People	208	(1)
Sibling Abuse	208	(1)
Abuse of Adolescents by Parents	208	(1)
Statutory Rape of Minors	209	(1)
Chapter Summary	209	(1)
Key Terms	210	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	210	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	210	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	211	(1)
9 Victims of Violence by Lovers and Family Members	212	(29)
Violence Between Intimates	212	(1)
The Rediscovery of Wife Beating	213	(13)
Blaming Her for His Violent Outbursts	214	(2)
Estimates of the Incidence, Prevalence, and Seriousness of Spouse Abuse	216	(4)
Aiding Victims Who Feel Trapped	220	(2)
Battered Women and the Criminal Justice System: Violence Is Violence, or Is It?	222	(4)
The Rediscovery of Battered Husbands	226	(1)
Victim Provocation and Murder: When is the Slaying of a Wife Beater Justified?	227	(6)
The Extent of Intimate Partner Homicides	228	(2)
Arguments Stressing That the Brutal Man Did Not Deserve to Die	230	(1)
Arguments Emphasizing That the Brutal Man Provoked the Lethal Response	231	(2)
The Rediscovery of Other Victims of Beatings	233	(4)
Young Women Battered during Courtship	234	(1)
Abuse of Parents by Adolescents	235	(1)
Elder Abuse	235	(1)
Battering within Same-Sex Relationships	236	(1)
Preventing Battering	237	(1)
Chapter Summary	238	(1)
Key Terms	239	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	239	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	239	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	240	(1)
10 Victims of Rapes and Other Sexual Assaults	241	(34)
The Rediscovery of the Plight of Rape Victims	242	(1)
"Real Rapes" Compared with "Date Rapes"	243	(2)
Victim Precipitation and Rape: Did She Somehow Single Herself Out for Trouble?	245	(4)
Victim-Blaming Views	246	(2)
Victim-Defending Perspectives	248	(1)
The Consequences of Being Sexually Assaulted	249	(1)
Estimates of the Incidence, Prevalence, and Seriousness of Rape	250	(3)
Differential Risks of Being Sexually Assaulted and Raped	253	(2)
How the Criminal Justice System Handles Rape Victims	255	(13)
The Controversy over Unfounded Accusations	255	(7)
The Accuser versus the Accused	262	(1)
Unwanted Publicity and Negative Media Portrayals	263	(1)
Rape Shield Laws	264	(1)
Force and Resistance	265	(1)
Corroboration	266	(1)
Arrest, Prosecution, and Adjudication	267	(1)
Crisis Centers: Providing Emergency Assistance	268	(1)
The Rediscovery of More Rape Victims	269	(2)
Wives Raped by their Husbands	269	(1)
Sexually Assaulted Males	270	(1)
Preventing Rape	271	(2)
Chapter Summary	273	(1)
Key Terms	273	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	273	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	274	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	274	(1)
11 Additional Groups of Victims with Special Problems	275	(33)
Victims of Crimes Committed at School	276	(9)
Threats Facing College Students	276	(7)
Threats Facing Middle School and High School Students	283	(2)
Victims of Workplace Violence	285	(3)
Slayings at Work	286	(2)
Individuals Menaced by Stalkers	288	(3)
Stalking: A New Word for an Old Problem	288	(2)
Cyberstalking: A New Word for a New Problem	290	(1)
Law Enforcement Officers Injured and Killed in the Line of Duty	291	(4)
Who, Where, When, and Why	292	(2)
Showing Solidarity	294	(1)
Targets of Hate Crimes	295	(5)
Rediscovering a Very Old Problem	295	(1)
Measuring the Scope of the Problem	296	(3)
Criminal Justice System Reforms	299	(1)
Casualties of Terrorism	300	(6)
Monitoring the Scope of the Problem	301	(2)
Assistance and Recovery	303	(3)
Chapter Summary	306	(1)
Key Terms	306	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	306	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	306	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	307	(1)
12 Repaying Victims	308	(32)
The Costs of Crime	308	(1)
Gaining Restitution from Offenders	309	(10)
Back to Basics	309	(1)
The Rise, Fall, and Rediscovery of Restitution	310	(2)
Divergent Goals, Clashing Philosophies	312	(2)
Opportunities to Make Restitution	314	(2)
Obstacles Undermining Restitution	316	(1)
Evaluating Restitution Programs	317	(2)
Winning Judgments in Civil Court	319	(7)
The Revival of Interest in Civil Lawsuits	319	(1)
The Litigation Process	319	(1)
Possibilities and Pitfalls	320	(2)
Collecting Damages from Third Parties	322	(4)
Collecting Insurance Reimbursements	326	(2)
Private Crime Insurance	326	(1)
Patterns of Loss, Recovery, and Reimbursement	326	(1)
Federal Crime Insurance	327	(1)
Recovering Losses through Victim Compensation Programs	328	(7)
The History of Victim Compensation by Governments	328	(1)
The Debate over Compensation in the United States	329	(2)
How Programs Operate: Similarities and Differences	331	(2)
Monitoring and Evaluating Compensation Programs	333	(2)
Confiscating Profits from Notorious Criminals	335	(2)
Writing and Rewriting the Law	336	(1)
Chapter Summary	337	(1)
Key Terms	338	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	338	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	338	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	339	(1)
13 Victims in the Twenty-First Century: Alternative Directions	340	(35)
Toward Greater Formal Legal Rights within the Criminal Justice System	341	(11)
Rights Gained at the Expense of Offenders	343	(3)
Rights Gained at the Expense of the System	346	(1)
Rights Gained at the Expense of Either Offenders, the System, or Both	346	(6)
Toward Retaliatory Justice	352	(10)
Vigilantism's Frontier Origins	352	(2)
Vigilantism versus Legitimate Use of Force in Self-Defense	354	(1)
Would Victims Be Better Off if They Were Armed?	355	(4)
The Dangers of a Drift Back toward Retaliatory Violence	359	(3)
Toward Restorative Justice	362	(10)
The Peacemaking Process	363	(1)
A Brief History of Restorative Justice	364	(2)
How Reconciliation Programs Work	366	(3)
Evaluating Efforts at Reconciliation	369	(1)
Pros and Cons from the Victim's Point of View	370	(1)
The Future of Restorative Justice	371	(1)
Chapter Summary	372	(1)
Key Terms	373	(1)
Questions for Discussion and Debate	373	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	373	(1)
Suggested Research Projects	374	(1)
GLOSSARY	375	(10)
REFERENCES	385	(46)
NAME INDEX	431	(9)
SUBJECT INDEX	440