Routine Activities Theory

Jessica Davis

Routine Activities Theory (continued)

Background of rape

Bryce Walker

Definition: The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without consent of the victim.

Who are motivated offenders?

-individuals willing and able to commit crimes

Who is a suitable target?

-persons who offenders view as vulnerable or attractive who possess something they want or are objects they want to possess

Who/What is a capable guardian?

-persons or objects that deter criminal activity

Background of rape

Types of rape:

• Diminished capacity rape
• Age-related rape
• Incest
• Partner rape
• Acquaintance rape

Hannah Baker

Diminished Capacity Rape:

-one person forces sexual penetration on another person who cannot consent to the sex act.

Example: Someone who doesn't have the ability to give consent to sexual acts due to intoxication.

Age-Related Rape:

-often known as statutory rape

-sexual intercourse with a minor

-age of minor varies across states

Background of Rational Choice Theory

Acquaintance Rape:

Definition: people are conscious social actors free to choose crime, and they will do so if they perceive that its utility exceeds the pains they might conceivably expect if discovered.

-also known as "date rape"

-usually the two people involved are in some type of social relationship at the time

-this rape is sometimes overlooked by the victims because people fail to realize that consent for sexual activity can be revoked at any time even if a prior relationship existed

-offenders will rationally look at the pros and cons of situations prior to the crime

-when the pros out number the cons, the offender is more likely to commit the crime

Introduction

• background of rape
• background of rational choice theory
• background of routine activities theory
• application of routine activities theory
• conclusion

Motivated Offender

Incest:

-when the two parties involved in sexual acts are family

Suitable Targets

Examples:

• Parents & children
• Uncles with nieces or nephews
• Aunts with nieces or nephews

Bryce Walker

• 6'5" senior at Liberty High

• co-captain of the football and baseball team

• rich popular kid

Partner Rape:

-also known as spouse or marital rape

-involving a persons past or present partner

-There are three different types of partner rape:

• Battering rape: sexual & physical violence
• Force-only rape: involving the control & power over another
• Obsessive or sadistic rape: torture & pervasive sexual acts

Hannah Baker

• new shy girl in town
• not many friends
• befriends Bryce Walker

Jessica Davis

• cheerleader at Liberty High
• becomes Hannah's first friend
• popular around school

Background of Routine Activities Theory

-this theory was devised by Lawrence Cohen & Marcus Felson in 1979.

Definition: This is a neoclassical theory pointing to the routine activities in that society or neighborhood that invent or prevent crime.

This theory is composed of recurrent and prevalent activities. The key to routine activities theory is that crime is the result of motivated offenders meeting suitable targets that lack capable guardians. If you have one without the other then it is likely that no crime can occur.

Rational Choice Theory & Routine Activities Theory