Understanding Victimology

Understanding Victimology: An Active Learning Approach is the only textbook with extensive discussion of both online and offline victimization reinforced by group and individual learning activities. Our textbook offers instructors a variety of active learning exercises – in the book itself and in the authors’ ancillaries – that engage students in the material and shed light on the experiences of marginalized social groups. Through these activities, students become engaged with the material at a higher level of learning. They learn how victimization happens and the challenges people who experience crime face in acquiring assistance from the criminal-legal system at a more intimate level instead of simply reading about it. Students also build their abilities to work with others in a collaborative learning environment, encouraging professional socialization for the future. The chapters in this second edition address gaps in information typically presented in victimology that ignore prevention or intervention, even though these topics are currently at the forefront of the national conversation going on about sexual violence in higher education. New to this edition are added coverage of immigrants and minorities and new chapters on the media and victimization and on victimization across the gender spectrum, as well as an online instructor resource covering UK case studies, legal framework, and social context that broadens the book’s global appeal. Suitable for undergraduate courses in victimology, this book also serves the needs of sociology and women’s studies courses and can be taught university-wide as part of diversity and inclusion initiatives.

"Provides a very clear, easily readable introduction to the wide range of criminological theories."Anne Rees, University of Portsmouth, UK What does contemporary criminological theory look like? What impact, if any, does it have on policy? The new edition of this bestselling text updates a key title in the Crime and Justice series, whilst maintaining it’s trademark theory-intensive approach to Criminology. In this third edition, the author pays particular attention to the development of the policy agenda under New Labour. The book examines the development of criminological theory over the past twenty five years, with detailed analysis of the relationship between criminological theorizing, criminal justice, social justice, and politics. It also provides: A detailed examination of the role of the media in relation to the fear of crime Expanded discussion of classical criminology, adding discussion of cultural criminology Special reference to young people and victims of crime A critical consideration of current policies concerned with rebalancing the criminal justice system Increased emphasis on issues related to risk and terrorism A comprehensive update of policy and research throughout Understanding Criminology is key reading for students who are new to the discipline, but also contains the rigourous analysis required by all levels of undergraduate student.

This work is the first interdisciplinary compilation of entries related to the crime victim to encompass the breadth of the 70-year-old discipline of victimology. The Praeger Handbook of Victimology is the first full-scale reference to encompass the full scope of the discipline of victim studies, marking its evolution from an initial focus on homicide, child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence to a more wide-ranging modern interpretation that includes hate crimes, terrorism, and cyber crimes such as online bullying, stalking, and identity theft. The Praeger Handbook of Victimology offers an up-to-date portrait of its field, including the latest research from criminal justice studies, feminist studies, and other disciplines, as well as the changing views of the victim from law enforcement and the public at large. The nearly 200 alphabetically organized entries cover everything from terminology unique to the field to victimizations relative to specific crimes to the extension of crime victim rights and victim interactions with the criminal justice system. Victims' advocates, legal professionals, students, researchers, or anyone fascinated by the impact of crime on society will find this a uniquely informative resource.

This volume examines social influences on violent events and violent behavior, particularly concentrating on how the risks of violent criminal offending and victimization are influenced by communities, social situations, and individuals; the role of spouses and intimates; the differences in violence levels between males and females; and the roles of psychoactive substances in violent events.

What causes people to commit violent crimes? The case studies in this book enable readers to evaluate the motivations behind crimes ranging from arson to rape to gang violence. Violent crime remains a major problem in America: in 2011, there were more than 1.2 million violent crimes committed in the United States. To better grasp the complex reasons behind this disturbing statistic, author David J. Thomas—a police officer and forensic psychologist—conducted an in-depth examination of violent crime to pinpoint why some individuals intentionally inflict pain and suffering upon others. In this book, readers are given access to excerpts from police interviews for each spotlighted crime in the case studies, offering a unique inside look at the true motivations of the criminal. The case studies include examples of arson, crimes against children, gang violence, human trafficking, murder, rape, and robbery. The work also explores the psychology associated with each crime, addresses evidence of corresponding personality types, and delves into victimology.

The study of victims of crime is a central concern for criminologists around the world. In recent years, some victimologists have become increasingly engaged in positivist debates on the differences between victims and non-victims, how these differences can be measured and what could be done to improve the victims' experience of the criminal justice system. Written by experts in the field, this book embraces a much wider understanding of social harms and asks which victims' voices are heard and why. McGarry and Walklate break new ground with this innovative and accessible book; it offers a broad discussion of social harms, the role of the victim in society and the inter-relationship between trauma, testimony and justice and asks: how has harm been understood and under what circumstances have those harms been recognised? how and under what circumstances are those harms articulated? how and under what circumstances are the voices of those who have been harmed listened to? Each chapter draws on case studies and a range of questions designed to assist in reflection and critical engagement. This book is perfect reading for students taking courses on victimology, victims and society, victims’ rights and criminal justice.

Victimology, Tenth Edition, covers the scope of crime victims’ suffering in the US, offering a history of victims and the measurement of victimization, an explanation of the victim’s role in the criminal justice process, and a recounting of the issues crime victims face as a result of crime and involvement in the criminal justice process. Doerner and Lab, both well-regarded scholars, write compellingly about how the current criminal’s justice system can be transformed into a victim’s justice system. Theory is woven together with the description of each topic, and specific examples illustrate each point. The book goes on to address the full impact of victimization, and a final section details specific types of victimization, ranging from violent crimes, including child and elder abuse, to property crime, to crime in the school and in the workplace. The authors explain how obstacles hinder the pursuit of justice, and provide significant policy and programming suggestions to render the system more victim-friendly. Appropriate for undergraduate as well as early graduate students in Victimology courses in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Justice Studies programs, this book offers instructor’s aides with test bank and PowerPoint lecture slides as well as a companion site with student resources.

Individuals who perpetrate murder sometimes pose or reposition victims, weapons, and evidence to make it look like events happened in a different way than what actually transpired. Until now, there has been scarce literature published on crime scene staging.Crime Scene Staging Dynamics in Homicide Cases is the first book to look at this practice, p