Victim precipitation 

Victim precipitation refers to the interactions of victims with those who commit crimes
against them. It is a controversial theory asserting that victims sometimes initiate the
actions which lead to their harm or loss. It is important to study because research shows
that it happens with some frequency, and therefore cannot be ignored simply because it is
distasteful. 

Definition

Victim precipitation is a criminology theory that analyzes how a victim's interaction with an
offender may contribute to the crime being committed. The theory is most commonly
associated with crimes like homicide, rape, assault, and robbery.

The phrase 'victim precipitation' was first introduced by 20th century criminologist Marvin
Wolfgang, in his article entitled Victim Precipitated Criminal Homicide. In this theory,
Wolfgang describes the victim as the first in the homicide drama to use physical force
against his subsequent slayer.

Theory

Like all criminology theories, victim precipitation relates to how and why crime happens.
While most theories focus on the acts and intentions of the offender, victim precipitation
seeks to understand the interaction between the victim and the offender.

Under this theory, the victim is viewed an active participant in the crime. This happens in
two ways: first, the victim is the participant in the crime who acts first; and second, the
victim encourages or provokes the offender to commit the crime. These are the primary
components of the victim precipitation theory.

Consider the following example: Cain and Abel are having a drink at the local tavern. Abel
owes Cain money, and as the night progresses, Cain becomes increasingly agitated with
Abel's failure to pay his debt. Finally, Cain snaps-- he shouts at Abel from across the bar, and
then charges at him, brandishing a pistol. He fires a shot toward Abel, barely missing his
head. Abel pulls a knife and stabs Cain to death as the two wrestle on the floor.

Under the victim precipitation theory, Cain's participation in his own death can be analyzed
by applying the theory's two components. First, Cain was the initial aggressor- he started
the verbal altercation, and he started the physical altercation when he fired his pistol at
Abel. Second, Cain clearly provoked Abel-- he ran towards him aggressively, intending to kill
or seriously injure him.
Victim Precipitation is important to study for following reasons :

Assists in Understanding the Dynamics Between Victims and Offenders

This facet helps us to understand that some victims can also be offenders, and some
offenders can also be victims. Because of this, any attempt to understand crime will be
incomplete without understanding the full gamut of behaviours engaged in by all parties,
and any characterisation of the offender-victim dyad as black and white will be largely
incorrect.

Providing a Deeper Understanding of Victimisation

Studying precipitation allows us to understand more about how the victim and offender are
connected. Whether compiling a victimology or doing a thorough analysis of a criminal
event , every effort must be made to understand the breadth and depth of physical and
emotional experiences of each party, along with how they perceived and responded to
events, and how others responded to their responses, and so on.

Providing a Deeper Understanding of Offending

Though not trying to excuse the offender, an analysis of precipitation provides a full
accounting of the offender’s responsibility in the commission of a crime. This examination
may help understand issues relating to offender motivation and intent, among other
possible insights.

Victim Precipitation in Legal Proceedings

Perhaps the most danger of aligning victim precipitation and victim blame comes in the
form of legal attempts to understand victim and offender roles. Whether we view attempts
to mitigate the offender’s responsibility or culpability as victim blaming, the reality is that
such examinations are allowable under the law. T

Assists in Understanding Risk Factors for Recidivism and Victimisation

Studying precipitation helps understand risk factors related not only to the initial
victimisation but also to possible re-victimisation. Any factors that contribute to becoming a
victim can exist outside of the victim’s conscious awareness and therefore outside of their
immediate control. This means that those maladaptive behaviours which lead to crime are
more likely to be repeated. Therefore, identifying and understanding the root cause of these
can be useful in providing primary, secondary, and tertiary intervention so as to reduce or
eliminate the harm or loss experienced by victims
United Nations Declaration of Basic principles of Justice for victims of Crime:

The United Nations General Assembly in 1985 adopted a “Declaration of the Basic Principles
of Justice for victims of crime and abuse of power. The declaration envisages the basic
norms to be adhered to for the recognition of victims’ right to information, treatment
restitution and compensation. The Declaration also suggested certain measures to help
victims and repose confidence in them. The united Nations General Assembly approved
some rights such as :

A. Right to protection from criminal activities through police and the law
B. Right to information from agencies of criminal justice system at every stage
C. Right to assistance at every stage, such assistance include medical, financial and legal
aid;
D. Right to courteous and human treatment.
E. Right to restitution from offenders
F. Right to compensation from state
G. Right to intervene at any stage through counsel including the right to seek review or
appeal.