Criminology – Victimization, Essay Example

There are numerous behavioural patterns that might turn a person towards victimization of another person. There is the concept of the bully this is often the result of someone trying to gain control of a group situation by showing dominance over a weaker person. Very often in a teenager situation this is often the result of similar treatment at home by the Father and as such the anger is passed on.  The bully is often insecure and lives a very fragile existence.  (Swearer)

The concept of racial hatred or stereotyping can lead people towards victimization of others.  The classic example is that of the Nazi persecution of the Jewish people in socialist Germany (1939-45). The Nazi’s stereotyped the Jews as evil and a race of people bent on destroying Germany. This was compounded by stating that they were racially impure and the Jewish people becoming victims of the holocaust where some 6 million people were exterminated.  This situation has repeated itself in history and a similar more recent event was the conflict in the Balkans ( Serb/Bosnia war).  (Human Rights Watch)

Juveniles mixing in gangs may result to victimization as more criminal related activities like, mugging, theft, robbery, intimidation etc.  This is often teenagers coming from backgrounds of poverty and becoming resentful of others that have money and a lifestyle that they can never attain. This equally covers vandalism and damage of property as a result of rage and jealousy. There are a number of behavioural conditions associated with juvenile delinquency i.e. anger, rage, hatred, jealousy and ignorance ( lack of education). This often leads to repeat offences and eventually more serious crimes including homicide.  Certain states like Texas treat juvenile crime in the same context in adults and the death penalty still exists for juvenile homicide cases.  (Snyder and Sickmund)

The recent spate of shootings in US Schools (Columbine Example) was the result of two boys who were relatively isolated, talked of carrying out a massacre, talked of a suicide pact and ultimately carried out their fantasy.

Works Cited

Human Rights Watch. “War crimes in Bosnia Herzogvnia.” Watch, Human Rights. War crimes in Bosnia Herzogvnia. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1992. 1-89.

Snyder, Howard N. and Melissa Sickmund. “Juvenile Offenders and Victims.” Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report (2006): 253.

Swearer, D.L. Espelege S.M. “Bullying in American Schools.” Swearer, D.L. Espelege S.M. Bullying in American Schools. New Jersey USA: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2004. 1-351.