Relationship Between Victim Resistance and Injury in Noncommercial Robbery

• NCJ Number: 116213
• Journal: Journal of Legal Studies Volume: 15 Dated: (June 1986) Pages: 405-416
• Author(s): P J Cook
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 12 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper analyzes the role of victim resistance in escalating the level of violence and the likelihood of serious victim injury in noncommercial robberies.

Abstract

The statistical results presented are derived from the National Crime Survey (NCS) data from 1973-1979. The subsample of NCS robberies used includes 1,470 robbery reports in which there was at least one adult male perpetrator and a weapon. A schematic is presented to delineate whether and under what circumstances it is prudent for the victim to offer resistance; the probability of no attack is about twice as high when the victim does not resist. One interpretation of the data is that forceful resistance provokes a violent response, where as nonforceful resistance discourages violence. Another interpretation is that forceful resistance usually occurs only when the victim is physically attacked. Several studies are referenced such as Feeney & Weir, Block & Skogan, and Zimring & Zuehl. The author concludes that available data does not reveal whether victims who chose to resist forcefully are exhibiting poor judgment. 2 tables, 1 figure.