Citation

Hope T, Trickett A. Int. Rev. Victimology 2008; 15(1): 37-58.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, World Society of Victimology, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/026975800801500103

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of how best to determine the appropriate theoretical model for explaining the frequency distribution typically observed in self-report crime victimisation surveys of general adult household populations. The contemporary, prevailing approach is characterised as a 'double-hurdle model' of exposure to victimisation risk mat focuses, separately, upon the transition initially from a non-victim to a victim state (the 'lifestyle-exposure' hypothesis), and thence upon the transition to a subsequent, specific level of risk (the 'repeat victimisation hypothesis'). An alternative model -- the 'immunity hypothesis' -- is proposed with the aim of addressing some of the theoretical and empirical difficulties identified in the current approach. This model takes the form of a compound-Poisson generalisation of the Negative Binomial statistical distribution. Its chief difference from the current approach is its assumption of a general tendency in the population towards 'immunity from' rather than 'exposure to' crime victimisation risk. An outflow table of data on household property crime victimisation from a longitudinal panel survey is analysed. The results provide support for the hypotheses derived from the immunity model.

Language: en