Editing Crime (section)

=== Victim ===
{{See also|Victims' rights|Right to an effective remedy}}
A victim is an individual who has been treated unjustly or made to suffer.{{Sfn|Spalek|2017|p=4}} In the context of crime, the victim is the individual that is harmed by a violation of criminal law.{{Sfn|Spalek|2017|p=3}} Victimization is associated with [[post-traumatic stress]] and a long-term decrease in [[quality of life]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hanson |first1=Rochelle F. |last2=Sawyer |first2=Genelle K. |last3=Begle |first3=Angela M. |last4=Hubel |first4=Grace S. |date=2010 |title=The impact of crime victimization on quality of life |journal=Journal of Traumatic Stress |volume=23 |issue=2 |language=en |pages=189–197 |doi=10.1002/jts.20508 |pmc=2910433 |pmid=20419728}}</ref> [[Victimology]] is the study of victims, including their role in crime and how they are affected.{{Sfn|Spalek|2017|p=3}}

Several factors affect an individual's likelihood of becoming a victim. Some factors may cause victims of crime to experience short-term or long-term "repeat victimization".{{Sfn|Bottoms|Costello|2010|pp=674–675}}{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|p=153}} Common long-term victims are those that have close relationships with the criminal, manifesting in crimes such as [[domestic violence]], [[embezzlement]], [[child abuse]], and [[bullying]]. Repeat victimization may also occur when a potential victim appears to be a viable target, such as when indicating wealth in a less affluent region.{{Sfn|Bottoms|Costello|2010|pp=674–675}} Many of the traits that indicate criminality also indicate victimality; victims of crime are more likely to engage in unlawful behavior and respond to provocation. Overall demographic trends of victims and criminals are often similar, and victims are more likely to have engaged in criminal activities themselves.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|p=150}}{{Sfn|Spalek|2017|p=2}}

The victims may only want compensation for the injuries suffered, while remaining indifferent to a possible desire for [[deterrence (psychology)|deterrence]].<ref>See Polinsky & Shavell (1997) on the fundamental divergence between the private and the social motivation for using the legal system.</ref> Victims, on their own, may lack the economies of scale that could allow them to administer a penal system, let alone to collect any fines levied by a court.<ref>See Polinsky (1980) on the enforcement of fines</ref>