Sean LeBoeuf CRJU 270- Victimology Ms. A.

Anderson 9/23/12 Chapter 3 1) Explain how a person can be charged with stalking. What constitutes the offense? All fifty states charge stalking as a felony offense although some states do not make it a felony on the first offense. Most states define stalking as willfully, maliciously and repeatedly harassing and following others. Some states prohibit nonconsensual communication, unwelcome surveillance and lying in wait. Stalking can be: watching or following someone, making threatening or harassing phone calls or hang ups, sending hate mail, making verbal threats to the intended victim or family member, vandalizing personal property, making drive-bys, sending unwanted love notes flowers, gifts etc, simply following with no other contact or sometimes with intent on committing a violent attack. 2) What problems exist in prosecuting someone for date rape? It is difficult to prosecute someone for date rape because without physical evidence of violence it is difficult to prove that a rape has occurred between two consenting adults involved in a sexual relationship. In date rape the two parties have a history of intimacy and a prior history. Often the victim doesnt even consider himself or herself as a victim, so it would be difficult to convince a jury that a criminal act has occurred. The victim is also typically involved in risky behavior, such as alcohol or drug use, prior to the incident leaving the victim unsure of the details. This inability to provide definitive descriptions of the event, allow defense attorney to establish doubt in the minds of the deciding bodies. 3) Identify the warning signs of an abusive relationship. It is difficult to identify who will be violent and when, and changes in lifestyle may result in unanticipated violence. There are some signs to look for as precursors to an abusive relationship. Partners who are jealous or possessive Partners who are controlling Partners who make threats or scare Partners with a history of violence Partners who pressure the other for sex Partners who abuse drugs or alcohol Partners who have a history of bad relationship, both personal and formal While it is possible for violence to occur without any prior warning these early warning signs could help recognize a potentially abusive partner. 4) Why does domestic violence occur?

Domestic violence may be the direct or indirect result of almost any action. Gelles lists potential violence to be the result of the amount of time spent together, conflicting interest, tensions in family interactions, age and generational differences, finances and lack of privacy. Substance abuse often causes domestic violence, which is also a symptom of other emotional problems, which can result in violence such as feelings of inadequacy. 5) Identify the behavioral and legal responses to stalking. As a result of being a victim of stalking, people report taking an additional protective measure such as self-defense class, altering lifestyles, or carrying a weapon. Sometimes major lifestyle changes occur such as a decrease of work or school attendance, relocation of residence or a change of school/workplace. Legally in response to the severity of stalking governments locally and federally have responded with anti-stalking legislation. The establishment of restraining orders provides law enforcement officers the opportunity to make warrantless arrest based on probable cause of the violator. U.S. vs Dixon prohibited the claim of double jeopardy, allowing a defendant to be prosecuted for violating a protective order and stalking. Resulting from the expanding field of technology the Interstate stalking Act of 1996 expanded stalking to include the cyber world. 6) What common factors are associated with child abuse, spousal abuse and elder abuse? Child abuse, spousal abuse and elder abuse are all complex problems, which have no one explanation for their cause. These forms of abuse are the result of family situations, such as environment, learned behavior and internal and external stressors. All forms of this abuse are under reported due to embarrassment, lack of external support or cultural pressures. Child abuse, spousal abuse and elder abuse are all relatively new forms of abuse that were commonplace years ago, but occurrences are increasing. 7) Explain the difference between targeted murders and spontaneous murders. Spontaneous murders are encounters resulting in murder between strangers. Although the act may be premeditated the victim(s) are completely random. Targeted murders, while the victim may be unaware of the perpetrator, they have been pursued because of some desired attribute. Thus the victim is not randomly chosen but target of a premeditated plan. Serial killers often target women, who are prostitutes or other types of undesirables. 8) Discuss the characteristics of serial killers. Who are likely to be their victims? In what ways dis some victims discussed in this chapter invite their own deaths? Serial killers are often white males, between 20 and 39 years of age, with a psychopathic personality, hedonistic outlook on life, a pronounced lack of conscience and often extremely high intelligence. Serial killers often seek unknown victims who are involved in some sort of criminal activity or live undocumented lives. They are less likely to get caught because these victims are less likely to be

reported missing because of their secretive lifestyle. Often by fitting the lifestyle or description that particular killer seeks the victim often invite their own deaths. Serial killers often prey on the vulnerable or nave. 9) Compare hate and bias crimes with other types of stranger crimes. In what ways are these crimes more vicious than other violent crimes? Hate or bias offenders target a specific victim because of the persons race, religion, sexual preference, ethnic heritage or physical appearance generally characteristics which are not chosen by the individual. Offenders of other stranger crimes such as serial killers chose targets that are easy victims because they often chose to put themselves in dangerous positions. Targeting and victimizing an entire demographic of people, offenders of hate or bias crimes, are often considered more vicious because of the extreme brutality and the desire to completely exterminate. 10)How can people avoid becoming victims of random violence? Is it possible to do so? People can avoid being a victim of random violence easily, by moving to a deserted island. As long as you are part of a population you are at risk of random violence, because its random and unpredictable. You may be able to decrease your risk by altering routines, avoiding situations, which would leave you vulnerable, and populations of people known for violence.