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VICTIM RESPONSES TO ROBBERY AND CRIME CONTROL POLICY *
Author(s) -
ZIEGENHAGEN EDUARD A.,
BROSNAN DOLORES
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
criminology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.467
H-Index - 139
eISSN - 1745-9125
pISSN - 0011-1384
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-9125.1985.tb00369.x
Subject(s) - criminology , limiting , crime control , economic justice , control (management) , property crime , criminal justice , psychology , criminal behavior , computer security , violent crime , political science , engineering , economics , law , computer science , mechanical engineering , management
Victim responses in robbery incidents may constitute individual behavior relevant to the goal of crime control. By regulating crime outcomes it may be possible to reduce the rewards associated with criminal behavior and thereby reduce the likelihood of recurring incidents. Yet, criminal justice professionals often advocate submission to robbers' demands apparently based upon the belief that victims can and ought to exchange property losses in return for escaping physical injury. Analysis of 13‐city National Crime Panel data of 3,679 robbery incidents discloses that victim resistance to execution of robbery is not often associated with serious injury but is linked to preventing the successful execution of the crime. Victims may play a critical role in the control of crime outcomes, and policy prescriptions which entail limiting the range of responses open to victims may be harmful to both the victims and the interest of society in controlling crime.