Citation

Nelson A, Desroches FJ. Int. Rev. Victimology 2014; 20(2): 211-226.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, World Society of Victimology, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0269758014521736

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This qualitative article is based upon interviews conducted with 80 incarcerated bank robbers and examines how these offenders conceptualized 'victims' and 'victimization'. Their accounts notably reverse conventional understandings of who is an 'offender' and who is a 'victim' by: casting 'bank robbery' as a 'non-violent' and 'victimless' crime; representing those who are victimized by their crimes as wannabe 'heroes' who are foolhardy and feckless; and positioning themselves as more sinned-against than sinning. However, these accounts may allow for remedial face-saving behaviour and represent attempts by offenders to delegitimate rule enforcers and/or others who would claim victim status as credible opponents.

Language: en