Active precipitation
a victim taking action against their perpetrator that results in the crime
Bystander effect
the tendency for people in a group to assume that others can help so they do not
Deviant place theory
the view that several factors (suitable targets, capable guardians, and motivated offenders) play a role in whether a person actually is victimized.
Elder Justice Act
a 2002 federal law which provided funding to state and local Adult Protective Services Programs
Impulsivity
the tendency to act without weighing the consequences of the action
Intangible costs
losses suffered that cannot easily be measured in dollars, such as pain and distress
Just world phenomenon
the view that people get what they deserve in life
Lifestyle theories
the view that people become victimized because of choices they make for how they live their life
National Crime Victimization Survey
a Bureau of Justice Statistics report on victimization
Offender blaming
the view that an offender is responsible for the crime
Passive precipitation
a victim has a characteristic that leads to the crime
Perpetrator
a person who commits a crime
Personality theories
a view of victimization that focuses on the characteristics of the victim that have made that person more likely to be the victim of a crime
Polyvictimization
the experience of more than one type of victimization over time
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
a condition that can develop in people who have experienced a traumatic event
Revictimization
Victimization that occurs after the original trauma
Routine activities theory
the view that several factors (suitable targets, capable guardians, and motivated offenders) play a role in whether a person is victimized
Secondary injuries (secondary victimization)
negative impacts on victims caused by their interaction with service providers and the criminal justice system
Survivor
a person who lived through a difficult and potentially life-threatening event
System blaming
the view that social problems result in crime
Tangible costs
out of pocket costs that can be measured in dollars
Undocumented
not having the expected legal documents
Victim
a person harmed by an event, such as a crime
Victim defending
the pro-victim stance that victims should not share in responsibility for a crime
Victim playing
inaccurately portraying oneself as the victim
Victim precipitation
the view that a victim’s actions play a role in the crime
Victimologist
a criminologist who focuses specifically on the victims of crime
Victimology
the study of how victims experience the crime process
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
a 1994 federal law which expanded prosecution of crimes against women and greater protection of the victims of these crimes