Recurring Victimization
This week, we are looking at crime from the viewpoint of the offender. The offender looks at three factors when determining a suitable target. One of these factors ifs the fact that the offender is looking for a target. Basically, there has to be a likely offender available to commit the crime. The offender has to be motivated by something (money, food, anger, etc.). The target must be vulnerable, therefore having no suitable guardian for protection. This can also speak to the idea of no witnesses. The target must also be suitable, meaning that the target must be considered weak, or vulnerable in the perception of the offender. This target must be accessible, the offender will reasonably believe that this target will provide little risk and big rewards. This target does not always have to be a person, it can also be a place or object.
Another important theory is the heterogeneity perspective. Why does a victim experience recurring patterns of victimization? One explanation finds that factors that are typically attributable to victims, continue to become factors that increase the likelihood of victimization in the future if not changed by the target. If a store is repeatedly robbed and they do nothing different, the store may continue to get robbed. If the store gets robbed once and buys a surveillance system and pays for security, the store has changed factors that would otherwise have led to recurring patterns of victimization.
In looking at this globular view of victimization, how does the routine activities theory/lifestyle theory correspond with the state dependence and risk heterogeneity explanations of recurring victimization?
How does routine activities/lifestyles theory fit within the state dependence and risk heterogeneity explanations of recurring victimization? How is it different?
Include the following aspects in the discussion:
- What is the routine activities/lifestyle theory?
- What is the heterogeneity explanation?
- How do these explain recurring victimization, and how are these theories different?
Must be 75-150 words
