NCJ Number
108075
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1987) Pages: 89-94
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
To test the theory that victims with deviant value systems often place themselves in situations where they are vulnerable to crime, this study examines the characteristics of 360 male victims to reveal a new image of the crime victim.
Abstract
Data were collected through personal interviews with 360 males registered as victims of attempted murder, grievous hurt, and simple hurt in the three major police stations of Sagar, India in 1984-1985. Almost 40 percent of the respondents had difficulties in adjusting to their immediate surroundings (family, neighborhood, and friends). Three out of every five respondents were rated as aggressive, and this variable was significantly associated with caste. Degrees of aggressiveness were particularly high among the shudras, followed by the vaishyas. Almost 30 percent of the respondents had been involved in violent scrimmages in their recent past. One-third of these victims reported they interacted frequently with persons of criminal characters. Only 12 percent admitted they were intoxicated when victimized. Implications of this research for victim services and crime prevention policies are discussed. Tables and 10 references.