Criminology Ch. 10: Violent Crime

Causes of Violence

1. Personal traits
2. Ineffective families
3. Evolutionary factors
4. Exposure to violence
5. Substance abuse
6. Firearm availability
7. Cultural values
8. National values

Forcible Rape

The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly against her will

90,000

In 2009, how many rapes or attempted rapes were reported to US police?

Almost two-thirds

The NCVS estimates what percent of rapes go unreported?

A crime of violence, not a sexual act

Rape is generally...

Date Rape

A rape that involves people who are in some form of courting relationship

Marital Rape

Rape between a married couple

Statutory Rape

Sexual relations between an underage minor female and an adult male

15

The age of statutory rape in Texas

Causes of Rape

1. Evolutionary/biological factors
2. Male socialization
3. Psychological abnormality
4. Social learning
5. Sexual motivation

Legal Reforms Regarding Rape

1. Language of statues was changed
2. Victim resistance is no a required condition
3. The requirement of use of force was changed to include threat of force or injury
4. Shield laws protect women from being questioned about their sexual history unless it

Murder

The unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought

First-Degree Murder

1. Deliberate
2. Intentional
3. Pre-meditation

Second-Degree Murder

A wanton disregard for someone's life

Felony Murder

1. If the victim dies accidently or without an intent
2. When it makes any participant in the felony responsible for any person's death

Manslaughter

1. Voluntary or non-negligent
2. Involuntary or negligent

Example of Voluntary Manslaughter

Heat of Passion

Nature of Murder

1. Much more common in urban areas
2. Victims and offenders tend to be males
3. Most commonly an intra-racial crime
4. African-Americans are disproportionately victims and offenders
5. Most perpetrators are under the age of 35
6. Offenders typically have

Second-degree murder because of a wanton disregard for human life

University of Virginia offender charged with what?

Passage of the 1996 Violence Against Women Act

All of the following are true of rape except:

Assault

Does not require actual touching but involves either attempted battery or intentionally frightening the victim by word or deed

Battery

Offensive touching, such as slapping, hitting, or punching a victim

Homicide and rape

Patterns of assault are very similar to...

Causes of Child Abuse

1. Generational violence
2. Negative childhood experiences
3. Blended families
4. Isolation from friends and family
5. Depression or psychological distress

Factors that Predict Spousal Abuse

1. Alcohol
2. Weapon
3. Stepchild
4. Estrangement
5. Hostility towards dependency
6. Excessive brooding
7. Social learning
8. Socioeconomic factors
9. Military service
10. Abuse as a child
11. Unpredictability

Robbery

Taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or putting the victim in fear

Hate Crimes

Violent crimes directed toward a particular person or members of a group merely because the targets share a discernible racial, ethnic, religious, or gender characteristics

Types of Hate Crimes

1. Thrill-seeking
2. Reactive (defensive)
3. Mission
4. Retaliatory

Factors that Predict Hate Crimes

1. Poor or uncertain economic conditions
2. Racial stereotypes in films/television
3. Hate-filled discourse on talk shows/political advertisements
4. The use of racial code language (e.g., welfare mothers, inner-city thugs)
5. Personal experiences with me

Scapegoating

Blaming a minority group for the misfortune of society as a whole

Workplace Violence

Violence such as assault, rape, or murder committed at the workplace
- Third leading cause of occupational injury or death

Stalking

A course of conduct directed at a specific person that involves repeated physical or visual proximity, non-consensual communication, or verbal, written, or implied threats sufficient to cause fear in a reasonable person

Terrorism

Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience

Contemporary Forms of Terrorism

1. Revolutionary
2. Political
3. Nationalist
4. Cause-based
5. Environmental
6. State-sponsored
7. Criminal