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1 Victims and Their Role in Victimization Erin Carr CRJ 512 Criminological Theory Instructor: Fred Newel 18 April 2022

2 Introduction The world is a dangerous place, exposing us to situations that are inevitable. Siegel says, "more than 22 million people and homes are victimized each year" (2015, chap. 3, p. 60, para. 3). Crimes are increasing in certain parts of the country, and it is important for people to understand how they can protect themselves from being victimized. Technology is forever evolving which increases a risk of victimization as well. This paper will dive into the Routine Activities Theory and how it is applied to new age crime and younger crowds. Additionally, the paper will explain the increased rates of crime, events that stem from it, and factors individuals can do to protect themselves from victimization. P rotection Against Victimization Humans have a lot of different variables. Some being more subjected to crime than others. People who are off-guard or are in vulnerable situations can trigger someone to victimize them. Having a sense of situational awareness can change lives. Trauma and emotions will be triggered by other events that might have not been anything in the past. Criminology: The Core states, "They may suffer innuendos or insinuations from friends and family members who suggest that they are to blame for what happened or that the crime was somehow their fault" (Siegel, 2015, p. 61). After the initial incident, victims tend to be blamed for what happens and then relive their situation. Prevention is an ongoing practice. To prevent this from happening people need to be more aware of their surroundings. Do not go to the bar alone or leave a drink unattended, don’t take home or pick up strangers, stay indoors at night if possible. Neighborhoods and location have a huge part in victimology too. The text Criminology: The Core stated “"Those living in the central city experience significantly higher rates of theft and violence than suburbanites; people living in rural areas have a victimization rate less than half that of city dwellers." (Siegel, 2015, chap. 3, p. 63, para 3). Victims are starting to rely on security cameras, carry

3 guns, and have double locks on doors to protect themselves from the evolving world. Houses that are well lit have a lesser chance of getting broken into compared to dark shadowy locations. When a crime does happen to an individual, telling the whole story and how it could have been prevented or showing that a fight back was initiated, victimization might not happen. Some people will never change their views until it happens to them. Statistics Crime has significantly changed over the past couple years. From 2014 to 2018, just four years, there was over a five percent increase in Richland Washington according to Macrotrends.net’s crime reports. That might not seem like a lot, but over a short period of time, there are more victims exposed to violent crimes. Crime rates in present day seem to be rising too. Due to Covid-19, presidential elections and the Black Lives Matter movements, there has been a lot of riots, shootings and violence that wasn’t as present as before. Contemporary Economic Policy published an article about these issues stating, “Large protest spikes coincide with national media coverage of certain fatal encounters with police other hearings of police cases surrounding deaths” (Skoy, 2020, p. 287, para. 5). Unfortunately, the police violence and fatalities have increased during this time. George Floyd was a huge awakening to the African American population. They wanted to revolt and make sure they were known and cared for. Some did it peacefully, while many did not. Because of this, laws, policing, and new policies have changed. The Constitution was questioned, and politics got involved. Stated in the introduction location changes statistics on crime, as well as family size, and gender. Location and race are a large portion of statistics because “if a hate crime is com-mitted and the police do not respond to reported offenses, the perpetrators learn they have little to fear from the law" (Siegel, 2015, chap. 3, p. 67). Lower class neighborhoods are more subjected to these kids of activities. Thankfully The Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) are reporting each year by the Federal Bureau of

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4 Investigations (FBI). The crimes reported are from police reports all over the country. This helps show heavily crime driven places for people. The UCR can be a great tool when relocating. “As early as the 1920s it concluded voluntary reporting by police departments nationwide” (Kymchi100, 2011). Over time it increased in popularity and “99 percent of state-level law enforcement agencies participate in the uniform approach reporting program” (Kymchi100, 2011). To add on, gender becomes a target too. “The rate of serious violent crime against male youth ages 12 to 17 declined by 82 percent from 1994 to 2010, while the rate against female youth declined by 69 percent during the same period." (Siegel, 2015, chap. 3, p. 64, para 1). Women are more vulnerable than men and often let their guard down especially around people they are familiar with. The different variables will always have the statistics go up or down depending on the events and times of the world. There are a lot of theories that go into play when detailing on the victim. Theories There are many theories that surround victimization. Siegel states in Chapter 3 that there are four theories. The victim precipitation theory, the lifestyle theory, the deviant place theory and the routine activities theory (2015). Each of these theories show a different method of how actions may put individuals at risk of victimization. Routine activities can lead criminals to track, scope and plan crimes against their target. The victim may be oblivious to this, as it is their everyday routine. The Routine Activities Theory explains that “the availability of suitable targets, the absence of capable guardians, and the presence of motivated offender" (Siegel, 2015, chap. 3, p. 71). An example listed shows “"e availability of suitable targets, the absence of capable guardians, and the presence of motivated offender" (Siegel, 2015, chap. 3, p. 71). A predator can easily scope when parents leave, when the houses are empty, or when shifts change. This is a prime time for criminals to act upon. The victims would be blindsided and stunned. In more highly populated areas, criminals are easily hidable and

5 surrounded by concealment even in broad daylight. The Routine Activities Theory runs adjacent to the Lifestyle Theory. Going to work or school cannot be avoided, going to Starbucks, can. There are somethings in life that we can protect ourselves against, while others can’t be changed. A different approach of the Routine Activities Theory is cybercrime. This is a new-age crime. Many young adults are more likely to open to people virtually. Whether it be to a new friend in a chat room, a gaming system, or education classes, these are all examples of where cybercrimes can happen. The University of Medellin-Colombia published a report on cyber victimization. In that report it states cyber victimization “may include dissemination rumors; posting false or unpleasant messages, embarrassing comments or photos; or excluding someone from online networks or other communications” (Morillo Puente & Rio Hernandez, 2022, p. 270). Kids are more likely to hide their cyber world from parents, teachers, friends, and police. They are also able to commit cybercrimes easier because they can go so undetected. Limiting posts, setting up better security and having anti-virus systems and protocols followed can help you becoming a victim to cybercrimes. Final Analysis While criminals are going to act regardless of precautions, protection against victimization is possible. Crime rates will vary depending on location, time, and race. Situations like being alone, leaving doors unlocked, or items unattended can be prevented. Victims tend to be selected due to vulnerability. There are theories that can help understand why some people are more victimized to crime compared to others. Time of day, race, gender, or guardians being absent are important factors to note when looking at victimization. The routine activities that are put forth everyday can help deter or allow crime from happening. The victim’s role in victimization is preventing the susceptibility of crime from happening within their lives.

6 References Kymchi100. (2011). 2.1-1 Uniform crime reports.m4v (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RuH9fhhP7A . Microtrends.net. (N.d). Richland WA Crime Rate 1999-2018. Retrieved from https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/us/wa/richland/crime-rate-statistics . Morillo Puente, S. & Rios Hernandez, I.N. (2022). Cyber Victimization within the Routine Activity Theory Framework of the Digital Age . Vol 40. Issue 1, p. 265-291. Retrieved from https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=c84feea2-8704-4a0b-a041- 2aa2a64203a0%40redis . Siegel, L. J. (2015). Criminology: The core (5th ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com/ Skoy, E. (2020). Black Lives Matter Protests, Fatal Police Interactions and Crime. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/coep.12508

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