CRJS 4203: Apply Victimization Theory

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When confronted with a process or practice that impedes your ability to help a victim, how would you respond? You could go around the practice or process. You could let a bad practice or process keep you from serving citizens in the best possible way. Or you could propose a better process that combines your experience with theories that support your idea. Examples of processes or practices could include interview techniques that are sensitive to victim trauma or making an effort to improve response times in key areas. In this Assignment, you propose a process or practice change that is supported by a victimization theory.

To prepare:

Find a criminal case that aligns with at least one of the perspectives in the following theories:

  • Routine activity
  • Deviant place
  • Lifestyle
  • Victim participation

As a way to address the crime that occurred in the criminal case you found, write a proposal for a new or changed process or practice that is based on a victimization theory.

Part I (250–500 words)

  • Explain how the applicable theory or theories could apply to the case you found.

Part II (500–750 words)

  • Choose one theory of focus that applies to the case.
  • Identify an existing process or practice that would benefit from a change.
    • For the purpose of this assignment, consider a process or practice to be an action that can be taken at the day-to-day level, such as employing certain interview techniques, increasing patrols, improving response times, etc.
  • Explain why that change would be beneficial.
  • Propose the following to address the circumstances in your chosen case:
    • A theory-based process or practice change that could help prevent another occurrence of the crime.
    • A theory-based process or practice change that could improve outcomes for the victim.
  • Explain how this type of change could create positive social change.