instrumental violence
violence used in an attempt to improve the financial or social position of the criminal
expressive violence
Violence that is designed not for profit or gain but to vent rage, anger, or frustration.
cycle of violence
A hypothesis that suggests that a childhood history of physical abuse predisposes survivors to becoming violent themselves in later years
violentization process
According to Lonnie Athens, the process by which abused children are turned into aggressive adults. This process takes violent youths full circle from being the victims of aggression to its initiators; they are now the same person they grew up despising,
crusted over
Children who have been victims of or witnesses to violence and do not let people inside, nor do they express their feelings. They exploit others and in turn are exploited by those older and stronger; as a result, they develop a sense of hopelessness.
subculture of violence
Norms and customs that, in contrast to society's dominant value system, legitimize and expect the use of violence to resolve social conflicts.
disputatiousness
Behavior within culturally defined conflict situations in which an individual who has been offended by a negative outcome in a dispute seeks reparations through violent means.
gang rape
Forcible sex involving multiple attackers.
serial rape
multiple rapes committed by one person over time
acquaintance rape
forcible sex in which offender and victim are acquainted with each other
date rape
forcible sex during a courting relationship
statutory rape
Sexual relations between an underage individual and an adult; though not coerced, an underage partner is considered incapable of giving informed consent.
marital rape
forcible sex between people who are legally married to each other
marital exemption
the practice of prohibiting the prosecution of husbands for the rape of their wives
virility mystique
the belief that males must separate their sexual feelings from needs for love, respect, and affection
narcissistic personality disorder
A condition marked by a persistent pattern of self-importance, need for admiration, lack of empathy, and preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
consent
In prosecuting rape cases, it is essential to prove that the attack was forced and that the victim did not give voluntary consent to her attacker. In a sense, the burden of proof is on the victim to show that her character is beyond question and that she
aggravated rape
rape involving multiple offenders, weapons, and victim injuries
shield laws
laws designed to protect rape victims by prohibiting the defense attorney from inquiring about their previous sexual relationships
murder
The unlawful killing of a human being (homicide) with malicious intent.
first-degree murder
unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated, committed after planning or "lying in wait" for the victim
premeditation
consideration of a homicide before it occurs
felony murder
A homicide in the context of another felony, such as robbery or rape; legally defined as first-degree murder.
second-degree murder
a homicide with malice but not premeditation or deliberation, as when a desire to inflict serious bodily harm and a wanton disregard for life result in the victim's death
deliberation
planning a homicide after careful thought, however brief, rather than acting on sudden impulse
manslaughter
a homicide without malice
voluntary or nonnegligent manslaughter
a homicide committed in the heat of passion or during a sudden quarrel; although intent may be present, malice is not
involuntary or negligent manslaughter
A homicide that occurs as a result of acts that are negligent and without regard for the harm they may cause others, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
feticide
endangering or killing an unborn fetus
infanticide
the murder of a newborn or very young baby
filicide
the murder of one's own child
eldercide
the murder of a senior citizen
serial killer
the killing of a large number of people over time by an offender who seeks to escape detection
mass murder
the killing of a large number of people in a single incident by an offender who typically does not seek concealment or escape
active shooter incident
A term used by law enforcement to describe a situation in which a mass shooting is in progress when police and law enforcement agents arrive at the scene.
road rage
A term used to describe motorists who assault each other.
child abuse
any physical, emotional, or sexual trauma to a child for which no reasonable explanation, such as an accident, can be found. child abuse can also be a function of neglecting to give proper care and attention to a young child
neglect
not providing a child with the care and shelter to which he or she is entitled
sexual abuse
Exploitation of a child through rape, incest, or molestation by a parent or other adult.
relational aggression
psychological and emotional abuse that involves the spreading of smears, rumors, and private information in order to harm a person's partner
acquaintance robbery
Robbers who focus their thefts on people they know.
hate crimes
Acts of violence or intimidation designed to terrorize or frighten people considered undesirable because of their race, religion, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.
thrill-seeking hate crimes
Acts by hatemongers who join forces to have fun by bashing minorities or destroying property; inflicting pain on others gives them a sadistic thrill.
reactive (defensive) hate crimes
perpetrators believe they are taking a defensive stand against outsiders whom they believe threaten their community or way of life
mission hate crimes
violent crimes committed by disturbed individuals who see it as their duty to rid the world of evil
retaliatory hate crimes
a hate crime motivated by revenge for another hate crime, either real or imaginary, which may spark further retaliation
workplace violence
Irate employees or former employees attack coworkers or sabotage machinery and production lines; now considered the third leading cause of occupational injury or death.
sufferance
the aggrieved party does nothing to rectify a conflict situation; over time, the unresolved conflict may be compounded by other events that cause an eventual eruption
stalking
A pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that includes repeated physical or visual proximity, unwanted communications, and/or threats sufficient to cause fear in a reasonable person.