Understanding Violence and Victimization, 7th edition
Title overview
For courses in victimology and criminal justice.
Combining theory with responses to victimization
Understanding Violence and Victimization explores forms of violence and their profound impact on victims across settings, whether at home, in the community, or due to personal assault or abuse. Drawing on extensive field experience, Meadows contextualizes the diverse influences on violence and victimization, from social and legal responses to the offender's role.
The 7th Edition features updates across all chapters reflecting current issues and developments in the field. More practical than theoretical, this edition has new analysis and resources covering victim laws and rights. It also includes a new chapter on firearms and victimization.
Hallmark features of this title
Impact of violent crime, both on individuals and society
- Analysis of causes and effects of victimization, as well as offender-victim relationships and settings and contexts in which violence occurs, takes discussions beyond mere descriptions of violence.
- The impact of victimization by the criminal justice system is assessed, including wrongful convictions and prosecutorial misconduct.
Social, legal and legislative responses
- Analysis of social and legal approaches to victimization considers both proactive and reactive response measures.
- Victim services are assessed, including crime prevention programs, victim compensation, and violence reduction strategies.
- Case studies are presented in the context of class discussion prompts with chapter-ending analytical questions.
New and updated features of this title
Laws and legislation targeting victimization
- NEW: A new chapter on firearms and victimization (Ch. 9) addresses related federal and state laws. It also looks at gun usage as both a means of, and a measure in preventing, victimization.
- UPDATED: New information on victim laws throughout the text includes an analysis of whether laws targeting violent crime are applied fairly.
- NEW: A new table on victimization rights (Ch. 10) lists key federal victims' rights legislation from 1974 to 2015.
Practical resources and learning aids
- NEW: A new victimization checklist has been added to Appendix C so students can survey violent crime and victimization in their community.
- UPDATED: Statistics and web sources have been updated throughout the text. Appendix A, Major Sources of Victimization Data and Information, guides readers to the most current data and resources on victimization.
- UPDATED: New graphic aids appear in each chapter. Included are new tables and new charts documenting hate crimes, school and workplace violence, and family violence.
Table of contents
CHAPTER 1: MEASURING AND UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE
Learning Objectives
Introduction
The Fear of Violent Crime
Fear and Effect of Violent Crime
Crime Data
Sources of Data on Victimization
Violent Crime Reporting and Statistics
National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC)
Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP)
Law Enforcement Officers Killed or Assaulted on Duty
Understanding Violence
Influences of Violence
Individual Influences
Familial Influences
Community Influences
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 2: VICTIMIZATION THEORY
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Impact of Victimization
Culture of Victimization
Review of Early Victimization Theory
Hentig's Victim Classification
Mendelsohn's Typology
Sellin and Wolfgang's Typology of Victimization
Modern Victimization Theories
Cultural Trappings
Victim Precipitation Theory
Spatial Relations
New Technology
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 3: VICTIMS OF FAMILIAL VIOLENCE
Learning Objectives
Introduction
The Stalking Problem
Antistalking Legislation
Federal Law on Stalking
The Psychological and Social Consequences of Stalking
Intimate Partner Violence
Extended Victims of Partner Violence
Explaining Partner Violence
Recognizing a Potentially Abusive Partner
The Law and Domestic Violence
Developments in the States
The Federal Crime Control Act and Domestic Violence
Elder Abuse and Neglect
Nursing Home Negligence
Child Abuse and Neglect
Victims of Rape and Sexual Violence
Statutory Rape
Marital Rape
Date Rape and Dating Violence
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 4: NONFAMILIAL VIOLENCE AND VICTIMIZATION
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Robbery
Home Invasion Robbery
Carjacking
Murders and Assaults by Strangers
Spontaneous Murders
Directed Targets
Bias and Hate-Motivated Crimes
Hate and Bias Crime Legislation
Terrorism
Domestic and International Terrorism
Victims of Terrorism
Motives of Violence
Violence Dissemination
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 5: INSTITUTIONAL AND WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Overview of Institutional and Workplace Violence
Institutional Homicides
Categorization of Institutional and Workplace Violence
Sources of Workplace Violence
Warning Signs of Violence
Bullying in the Workplace
Employer Liability for Institutional Victimization
Sexual Harassment and Legal Liability
Reducing the Violence Threat: the Targeted Human Resource
Approach
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 6: SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND VICTIMIZATION
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Research on School Crime and Violence
Teachers At Risk
Explaining School Violence
Early Warning Signs of Violent Behavior
Bullying
Gangs and Schools
Other Behavioral Warning Signs
Responding to School Violence
Zero Tolerance
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 7: CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Sources of Injustice
Is the Justice System Broken?
The Police
Remedies for Police Injustice
Prosecution and the Judicial Process
Crime Legislation, Sentencing, and Injustice
Three Strikes Law and Mandatory Minimums
Enforcing Laws: Sanctuary Cities Crime and Illegal Immigration
Felony Murder Rule
Sex Registration Laws
Corrections
Community Corrections
Early Release and Realignment
Prison Victimization
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 8: HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND VICTIMIZATION
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Scope of Human Trafficking
Victims of Sex Trafficking
The Refugee Crisis and Trafficking
Sex Trafficking in the United States
Other Consequences of Sex Trafficking Victims
Labor Trafficking
Bonded Labor
Debt Bondage Among Migrant Laborers
Involuntary Domestic Servitude
Forced Child Labor
Child Soldiers
Laws Prohibiting Human Trafficking
Responding to Human Trafficking
T Nonimmigrant Status (T Visa)
U Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa)
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 9: FIREARMS AND VICTIMIZATION
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Gun Laws
The States
Federal Laws
The Bad of Guns
Source of Illegal Guns
Summary
Notes
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning
Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
CHAPTER 10: RESPONDING TO CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Proactive Responses
Community Violence Prevention Strategies
Security and Protection Measures
Environmental Criminology
Reactive Responses to Victimization
Victim Rights and Compensation Programs
Additional Legislation
Sexual Offender Notification Laws
Sexually Violent Predator Act
Antigang Legislation
Gang Injunctions
Crime Control Legislation in 2000 and Beyond
Victim Advocacy Groups
Civil Justice for Victims
Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions and Learning Activities
Web Sources
Recommended Readings
References
Appendices
A. Major Sources of Victimization Data and Information
B. Resource Guide
C. Victimization Checklist
Author bios
About our author
Robert J. Meadows is professor of criminology and criminal justice at California Lutheran University (CLU), where he also served as department chair for over 10 years. Dr. Meadows received a PhD in criminal justice from Claremont Graduate University and a Doctor of Education (EdD) and master's degree (MS) from Pepperdine University. He received his bachelor's degree (BS) from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Meadows has over 35 years of teaching, research and practical experience.
Prior to teaching, Dr. Meadows worked as a police officer in Los Angeles (LAPD) assigned to patrol, accident investigation and recruit training. Prior to CLU, he taught at Kent State University, Ohio; Appalachian State University North Carolina; and Glendale College, Glendale, California. Dr. Meadow's research and teaching interests include violence and victimization, legal issues in criminal justice, and comparative justice systems. He has authored articles and two books: Evil Minds (Pearson-Prentice Hall, 2005) and the 7th edition of Understanding Violence and Victimization.