• Have you ever been a victim of crime? If not, discuss a significant other/acquantance that was victimized. Give us an example and tell us which of the theories of victimization (discussed in Chapter 3) explains how or why the victimization occurred. For example, someone broke into my car and stole my CDs. This was years ago, when we carried CDs in our cars. The criminal took my Murphey Lee and Nelly CDs, and left Barry Manilow and Frank Sinatra. I was offended...for lots of reasons. My car was unlocked and parked in front of my gym where I worked out each morning. I think the Routine Activities explains how my victimization occurred. Whoever stole my CDs must have known that I routinely go to the gym, there are no cameras outside the gym to serve as a suitable guardian, and knew I would not return to my car for 60 minutes, or so. Apparently some of my CDs were a suitable target; others clearly were not.
• In Chapter 3, the authors gives us a list of victim characteristics. Tell us why households with these characteristics are more likely to contain victims of crimes?
• In Chapter 3, the authors also introduced us to the most important theories of victimization. I really want you to understand these. Briefly describe: Victim Precipitation Theory, Lifestyle Theory, Deviant Place Theory, and Routine Activities Theory.
• Tell us how victim precipitation theory could lead to "victim blaming" (i.e. result in blaming victims for their own victimizations)?