| Theory | Core idea | One-line critique |
|---|---|---|
| Victim precipitation | The victim's act (passive/active) helped trigger the offence | Slides into blame |
| Lifestyle theory | Risky lifestyles expose victims to offenders | Over-predicts stranger crime |
| Routine activity theory | Crime = motivated offender + suitable target + absence of capable guardian | Situational, not causal |
| Deviant place theory | Dangerous places, not persons, victimize | Ignores offender choice |
| Structural/opportunity perspectives | Powerlessness (age, gender, class) structures vulnerability | Blames 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.