ictimology is the criminology branch that studies the victims rather than the
offenders. It analyzes a victim’s characteristics, role in the criminal
justice system, psychological state, and factors that increase their chance of
being targeted. Understanding and studying different victimology types are
essential for developing effective deterrence methods because it helps
criminologists better understand all the actors’ role in a crime.
Through the study of victims, experts can determine the risk factors that
increase an individual’s chance of becoming a victim. If the reason someone is
victimized is unknown, it’s nearly impossible to devise a method that will lower
the rate of victimization. To better explain why specific individuals are
victimized, criminologists developed four theories of victimology.
What are the 4 Theories of Victimology?
1. Victim Precipitation Theory
2. Lifestyle Theory
3. Deviant Place Theory
4. Routine Activities Theory
Scholars created victim precipitation, lifestyle, deviant place, and routine
activities theories of victimology to guide crime victims’ research and
study. Each of these theories attempts to explain the various reasons an
individual may be victimized. The approaches allow experts to devise plans
to lower the victimization rate of those who are disproportionately at risk.
Victimology is essential to criminology because a victim is needed for a
crime to occur. Therefore, a victim’s characteristics need to be studied to
understand why criminals target specific groups.
Keep reading to learn about the four theories of victimology and how they help
criminologists develop effective deterrence methods.
What is Victimization?
Before we can look at the different victimology theories, we should know what
victimization is because it is the field’s primary focus. Victimization can be
defined as the outcome of an individual or institution’s intentional action to
exploit, oppress, or harm someone else. It also includes destroying or illegally
acquiring someone else’s property or possessions. These actions can cause
psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, or economic harm to the victim.
Criminologists began to study a victim’s relation to crime to counter criminal
behavior and help victims cope afterward. These studies have helped
criminologists realize the importance of a victim’s role in a crime.
Studying victimology helps criminologists better understand the victim and why
they were targeted or victimized. Scholars formed the theories of victimology to
understand the different factors that could impact someone’s chance of being
victimized.
Victim Precipitation Theory
The victim precipitation theory states that some victims initiate the
confrontation that leads to their victimization, whether actively or passively.
Various research studies have found that people who have an impulsive
personality, rendering them as abrasive or obnoxious to others, may have a
higher victimization rate. The reason is that impulsive people are antagonistic,
making them more likely to be targeted. Also, they tend to be risky and will get
involved in dangerous situations without being cautious.
Passive precipitation means that the victim unconsciously behaves in a way or
has specific characteristics that instigate or encourage an attack. Passive
precipitation is typically the result of a power struggle; job promotions,
successes, love interests, etc., can all give rise to a power struggle and cause
passive precipitation. People who are likely to encourage a crime passively
include minorities, political activists, members of LGBTQ+, and other individuals
who lead an alternative lifestyle. These groups are often targeted because of the
unintentional threat they pose to authority.
Active precipitation, on the other hand, occurs when the victim engages in
threatening or provocative actions. Active precipitation is controversial because
many argue whether or not it is ever okay to “blame” the victim for the
occurrence of a crime. This is true, especially in rape cases where flirtation may
have been present. However, there was no consent to sexual intercourse. For
this reason, we must be cautious when discussing active participation since it
does not apply to every case.
