Crime Victims An Introduction to Victimology Sixth Edition

Crime Victims: An Introduction to Victimology Sixth Edition By Andrew Karmen Chapter Five: The Victims’ Contribution To The Crime Problem 1

Victim’s Contribution To The Crime Problem § Theories – Duet Frame of Reference—Von Hentig, 1941 – Penal Couple—Mendelsohn, 1956 – Doer-Sufferer Relationship—Ellenberger, 1955 Shared Responsibility—Victims as well as criminals did something wrong Evidence of Shared Responsibility Inquiries: See Box 5. 1, Page 98 2

Shared Responsibility Issues § Murder: ”…victim is often major contributor…” (Wolfgang, 1958) § Rape: “…’virtuous’ rape victim is not always the innocent and passive party. ” (Amir, 1971) § Theft: “Victims cause crime in the sense that they set up the opportunity for the crime to be committed. ” (Jeffrey, 1971) § Burglary: “…understand the extent to which a victim vicariously contributes to or precipitates a break-in. ” (Waller and Okihiro, 1978) 3

Shared Responsibility § Facilitation—victims unknowingly, carelessly, negligently and inadvertently make it easier for offender to commit a theft § Precipitation—victim significantly contributes to the event § Provocation—worse than precipitation—more responsible than perpetrator for the fight that ensued. Goaded, challenged or incited a generally law-abiding citizen into taking defensive action 4

Frequency of Shared Responsibility Study by National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence § Homicide—person who died was the first to resort to force— 22% § Aggravated Assault—seriously injured first to use force or offensive action— 14% § Armed Robberies—victim did not reasonably handle money, jewelry or valuables— 11% § Forcible Rapes—woman first agreed to sexual relations or invited through gestures— 4% 5

Frequency of Shared Responsibility for Violent Crimes Completely innocent victims cannot be blamed for the crime. They reasonably reduced risks, no negligence or passive indifference. They often harden their targets with security devices and alarms Victim is totally responsible when there is no offender —victim may pose as offender—fraud 6

Victim Blaming vs. Victim Defending § Victim Blaming Characterization – Victims might share responsibility with offender if facilitation, precipitation, or provocation of the event occurred § Victim Defending Characterization – Challenge it is not accurate or fair to hold the wounded party accountable to some degree for losses or injuries that happened 7

Victim Blaming vs. Victim Defending § Victim Blaming – Personal Accountability—Basic doctrine of U. S. legal system – Just World Outlook—People get what they deserve Victim blaming is the view of majority of offenders 8

Victim Blaming vs. Victim Defending § Victim Defending—Rejects the premise that victims are partly at fault or must change their ways 1. Victim blaming criticized for overstating victim’s involvement 2. Overstates events of facilitation, precipitation or provocation 3. Exhorting people to be more cautious and vigilant is not an adequate solution 9

Victim Blaming vs. Victim Defending § See Box 5. 2, page 108: “Criticisms of the Notion of Shared Responsibility” § Two tendencies with victim defending regarding who or what is to be faulted: – 1. Offender blaming—do not shift any blame away from offender onto the victim – 2. Link victim defending with system blaming attitudes and behaviors of both parties influenced by socialization 10

Victim Facilitation and Auto Theft § “Is it the careless who end up carless? ” Trends— Figure 5. 2, page 110; Tables 5. 1, page 112, and 5. 2, page 113 § Most likely victim—under 25, apt. dweller, urban inner city, African Americans and Hispanic Americans, low income § Most likely stolen vehicle— 2000 Honda Civic Auto theft is only crime which has a “victim blaming lobby” Auto makers, law enforcement, insurance companies 11

Victim Facilitation and Auto Theft § Victim blaming focuses on motorists with bad habits § Victim defending focuses on majority of motorists who did nothing wrong – Teenagers are no longer #1 in stealing cars— organized car rings 12

Typology of Shared Responsibility § Auto Theft: – Conscientiously Resisting Victims } 55% – Conventionally Cautious Victims – Carelessly Facilitating Victims} 20% – Precipitative Initiators – Provocative Conspirators } 25% – Fabricating Simulators 13

Victim Facilitation and ID Theft § ID Theft—Unauthorized (illegal) appropriation of personal information – Names, addresses, dob, doc#, mother’s maiden name Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—Identity theft clearing house Table 5. 3, page 117 identifies Identity Theft Type distribution nationwide in 2004 14

Laws and Law Enforcement § Nearly all states criminalized the unlawful possession of personal I. D. in the 90 s § 1998 Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act – Provided for financial recovery for victim not just financial institution § Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 – Provided for one free credit report per year 15

Laws and Law Enforcement § Problems undermining law enforcement effectiveness in enforcing ID Theft – Many officers lack training and agencies lack resources to provide adequate response – Multi-jurisdictional complications undercut an agency’s commitment to follow through – Law enforcement agencies stymied as many instances not reported to police 16

Victim Facilitation and ID Theft § Risk Reduction Strategies – Lock up computer, desktop, laptop – Shred pre-approved credit card invitations – Discreetly discard receipts and ATM info – Devise clever passwords – When asked for Soc #, be sure to ask why and how to be used 17

Legal Importance of Determining Responsibility § Responsibility rests on judgments that are subject to challenges and criticisms § Whether the victim facilitated, precipitated or provoked an offender is considered by police, prosecutors, juries, judges, compensation boards, insurance examiners, and politicians § It is an issue at many stages of the CJ process, restitution consideration and insurance settlements 18

Key Terms Shared responsibility Duet frame of reference Penal couple Doer-sufferer relationship Boost explanation Flag explanation Facilitation, Precipitation provocation Subculture of violence Sub intentional death Justifiable homicide Typology Victim blaming, victim defending Just world outlook Offender blaming, System blaming Retagging, Chop shops Conscientiously resisting victims Conventionally cautious victims Carelessly facilitating victims Precipitative initiators, Provocative Conspiracy Fabricating simulators Identity Theft Microscopic, macroscopic System 19