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Study unit 2 (2.1): Theoretical approaches and perspectives in Victimology
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Lecture notes of 4 pages for the course Criminology 220 at UP (notes for the exam)
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KRM 220Victimology
Study unit 2 (2.1): Theoretical approaches and perspectives in Victimology
Lifestyle/exposure model of personal victimisation: Hindelang, Gottfredson and
Garofalo (1978)
According to them the possibility of becoming a victim depends on your lifestyle.
Victimisation rates are closely related to demographic characteristics such as age,
gender, marital status and to a lesser extent race and income. Offenders are more likely
to interact and victimise individuals who have the same demographic features they
have. According to this theory, younger people, men and single people that aren’t in
relationships are more vulnerable, as they spend more time outside their homes. Thus,
according to them your lifestyle determines your vulnerability. They look at routine
activities, for instance going to work, to school, varsity, home, what you do for relaxation.
According to this theory, young, single men, and single women go out frequently. This is
applicable to our current context as young people spend a lot of their free time at pubs
or at clubs for instance. According to this theory being out in public poses a higher risk
than staying at home. These theorists also postulate that married couples prefer to stay
at home more often than single, young people. Thus they say the possibility of being
victimised depends on how much time you spend outside your house, especially during
the evening as well as the time you spend with non-family members. Thus people’s
lifestyles determine the likelihood that they will be victimised. Family income, for
instance is an important determinant of the particular lifestyle of the individual, as it
determines where they live and with whom they interact.
Hindelang identifies certain prerequisites for victimisation to take place:
- Offender and victim must meet at particular time and place
- Offender must regard victim as a suitable object for victimisation
- Offender must be willing and able to use violence or threat of violence in order to
get the desired result.
- Offender must see circumstances as advantageous for the use of violence, or threat
of violence.
Important elements of the lifestyle/exposure model include:
- Role expectations
In line with expectations of others, people behave in certain ways and develop lifestyles
that are to a greater or lesser extent conducive to victimisation. An individuals social
role is determined by his or her demographic characteristics which include age, gender,
marital status, education and occupation.
- Structural Constraints
Behaviour within a particular role is not free of constraint. Familial, economic and legal
structures can restrict the behavioural pattern of individuals. Economic factors might for
example limit the choices available to a person in respect of residential area, type of
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