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VICTIMOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRIEF 2018/2019
ASSESSMENT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Please ensure that you comply with the following requirements for submission of your assessment:
➢ Word limit of 2500 words
➢ Written with the correct word-processed specifications
➢ Submitted to TURNITIN (non-submission via TURNITIN will be deemed as a non-submission)
➢ DO NOT SUBMIT A HARD COPY TO THE SAC
➢ Correct referencing should be used (Harvard)
➢ Do NOT put your name on your work – marking is anonymous
ASSESSMENT TASK
In responding to the assessment task, you must also cover ALL module learning outcomes
Please note that you have a choice of assessment for this module
Choose one of the following 2 assessment types.
Either: Assignment
Choose 1 from 2 Assignment Question choices
➢ Choice 1: Critically discuss the historical evolution of the role of victim in the UK
➢ Choice 2: “Crime Victims are increasingly of interest to politicians, criminologists and criminal justice practitioners. However, their place in criminal justice is disputed” (Matravers 2010 p 1) Critically discuss in relation to the role of the Victim in the Criminal Justice process in the UK
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Reference: Matravers, M (2010) The Victim, the State and Civil
Society in A Bottoms and J V Roberts (eds) Hearing the Victim
Adversarial justice, Crime Victims and the State. Cullompton: Willan
OR: Case Study
➢ Choose a ‘historical’ case where the impact of crime on the
victim/s has resulted in changes to the criminal justice system
and/or victim support generally
➢ I would suggest you choose one of the 6 following cases
provided here: Stephen Lawrence; Holly Wells & Jessica
Chapman; Jody Dobrowski; Clare Wood; Sarah Payne or James
Bulger.
➢ The changes you critique might be direct, for example changes
to legislation, policy or process or subtler in relation to media
or societal responses.
➢ Split your work into 3 parts in order to meet fully the learning
outcomes of the module: see below
ADVICE ON WRITING THE CASE STUDY
Part 1
➢ Critically review the work of agencies who should (or might)
have supported the victim/victims in this situation, additionally
explaining the social & political changes which led to the
increased profile of the victim as a consequence.
Part 2
➢ Critically examine the differential impact of crime on your
victim in the context of broader issues of social exclusion,
diversity & discrimination providing (additional) examples
where appropriate.
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Part 3
➢ What explanations might theorists propose to explain this offence generally, but also more specifically its impact on the victim?
Learning Outcomes
1.Demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the social construction of victimisation, crime & criminality.
2.Critically examine the differential impact of crime in the context of broader issues of social exclusion, diversity & discrimination.
3.Identify & critically discuss the key social & political drivers which have led to the increased profile of victim issues within the CJS in the UK.
4. Critically appraise different approaches to working with victims of crime & their impact.
MORE ADVICE ON WRITING THE CASE STUDY
In responding to this case study, you should
1. Carefully consider the crime, the victim/s and the offender. In
order to do this, you should review the context of the crime and its
impact i.e.
➢ What was it that made this crime stand out as a signal crime?
➢ What were the responses in support of victims of similar
offences as a result?
NB: Make sure that you interrogate the learning outcomes and
critically reflect on their association with the different elements of
the case
2. Review the context of the crime and its impact
ADVICE ON STRUCTURING YOUR CASE STUDY:
➢ In your introduction, you should provide a very brief overview
of the case. Do not over use word count here.
➢ Reference official sources when you contextualise the crime;
remember this is an academic assessment. Please only review
media/grey literature if it was relevant to the broader review
of the case in society.
➢ In the main body of your work you should consider the key
elements & possible themes & then discuss & review research,
theory, multi-agency action & government reports which might
be relevant to the case and its resolution
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➢ Ask yourself critical thinking ‘what if’ type questions for
example does the age of the victim or offender make a
difference here?
➢ What about theory?
➢ Your conclusion should draw together the relevant points of
debate & consider the impact of the crime on the victim, wider
society & those responsible
➢ Don’t forget to provide a (Harvard) reference list.
➢ The reference list is not included in your word count.
➢ Do not go over 2,500 words. There is a penalty of 10 marks
once you exceed 2,750 words.
➢ There is no minimum word count.
