The Victim Precipitation Theory: The Theories Of Victimization

The Theories of Victimization Since the moment we understood the action, mankind has struggled with the control of crime. Thousands of dollars and hours have been poured into research on the different aspects of it, and how to contain it. Many theories surfaced in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries on where crime came from, but it wasn’t until sixty years ago (Siegel) when the victims of crime were brought forward to be studied. Victims of crime have an important role to play in the activity, although the vast majority of them do not wish to be in the position they are in. If that is the case however, how did they get there in the first place? How did victims become part of the crime process? Over the years four theories have emerged: The Victim Precipitation Theory, The Lifestyle Theory, The Deviant Place Theory, and The Routine Activities Theory.

The Victim Precipitation Theory.

According to Larry Siegel’s Criminology: The Core, The Victim Precipitation Theory is defined as:

“The view that victims may initiate, either actively or passively, the confrontation that leads to their victimization.” (Siegel)

In other words, the

Taking recreational drugs, heavy drinking, and other such actions puts them at risk for others to take advantage of them, especially sexually. Campus Sexual Violence runs rapid across college campuses, most of the victims being female. According to RAINN.org, “among graduate students, 23.1% of females and 5.1% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.” (RAINN.org). These stats exist because it is easier to overcome a person if they are under the influence of a drug or alcohol, giving an easy access for criminals. It is also hard to maintain rationality when under the influence, causing users or heavy drinkers to act irrationally while under the