It's a job
People who study the victim’s role in criminal transactions.
victimologists
A disturbing form of domestic violence by children and other relatives with whom elderly people live.
Elder abuse
Making one’s home or business crime proof through the use of locks, bars, alarms, and other devices.
target hardening
The view that some people become victims because of personal and social characteristics that make them attractive targets for predatory criminals.
passive precipitation
People become victims because they reside in socially disorganized, high-crime areas where they have the greatest risk of coming into contact with criminal offenders.
deviant place theory
While the crime is still fresh in their minds, victims may find that the police interrogation following the crime is handled callously, with innuendos or insinuations that they were somehow at fault.
victimization
The idea that victims of crime, especially childhood abuse, are more likely to commit crimes themselves.
cycle of violence
An extreme preoccupation with certain thoughts and compulsive performance of certain behaviors.
obsessive-compulsive disorder
The view that the source of many criminal incidents is the aggressive or provocative behavior of victims.
active precipitation
The view that the volume and distribution of predatory crime are closely related to the interaction of suitable targets, motivated offenders, and capable guardians.
routine activities theory
Psychological reaction to a highly stressful event; symptoms may include depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and recurring nightmares.
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Emergency counseling for crime victims.
crisis intervention
The potential offenders in a population. According to rational choice theory, crime rates will vary according to the number of motivated offenders.
motivated offenders
People may become crime victims because their lifestyle increases their exposure to criminal offenders.
lifestyle theory
According to routine activities theory, a target for crime that is relatively valuable, easily transportable, and not capably guarded.
suitable target
Those who have been crime victims maintain a significantly higher chance of future victimization than people who have remained nonvictims.
chronic victimization
Conditions of probation in which the offenders repay society or the victims of crime for the trouble the offenders caused.
restitution agreements
Effective deterrents to crime, such as police or watchful neighbors.
capable guardians
The idea that the victim’s behavior was the spark that ignited the subsequent offense, such as when the victim abused the offender verbally or physically.
victim precipitation theory
The victim ordinarily receives compensation from the state to pay for damages associated with the crime.
victim compensation
Government programs that help crime victims and witnesses; may include compensation, court services, and/or crisis intervention.
victim-witness assistance programs