1.3 Theories of Victimization

TheoryCore ideaOne-line critiqueVictim precipitationThe victim's act (passive/active) helped trigger the offenceSlides into blameLifestyle theoryRisky lifestyles expose victims to offendersOver-predicts stranger crimeRoutine activity theoryCrime = motivated offender + suitable target + absence of capable guardianSituational, not causal TheoryCore ideaOne-line critiqueDeviant place theoryDangerous places, not persons, victimizeIgnores offender choiceStructural/opportunity perspectivesPowerlessness (age, gender, class) structures vulnerabilityBlames structure alone The balanced position (the exam's): theories are lenses — each explains a slice (opportunity, exposure, structural vulnerability); none justifies blaming the victim; policy should target guardians, places, and structures — the victim is not the crime's cause.