Victimology: concepts, theories, and applications

Victimology

A Brief Overview of Predators and How to Stop Them

The acclaimed criminology text "Predators: Who they are and how to stop them" is a concise and credible resource for the novice or the highly trained criminologist to learn and understand how everyday people can become victims to predators. The informative book also provides a wealth of practical tips on how the individual can protect their personal space from invasions by predators and reduce the risk of being victimized by making small changes in their lifestyle. By using real examples from their own cases, behavior specialists Cooper, King, and McHoes explicitly examine the mind of criminals and how they choose their victims based on behavioral patterns. The authors demonstrate how predators prey on the seemingly weak and naive by citing a Utah-based rape case and also tragic molestation cases involving children.

Rape is a common type of crime in which predators carefully select victims based on their "predictability" (Cooper, King, & McHoes, 16). The first case presented in the text is a real-life situation that happened to an unsuspecting woman who was carrying on her normal daily activities when she was raped. Her morning began as it usually did as she prepared breakfast for her busy husband and four-year-old daughter. Her husband was rushing out to work and joked about how "predictable" their behavior was after she knew he would be home by five that afternoon in time for their guests to arrive. Sadly, after her husband gave her a peck on the cheek and left, her predator, who was obsessed with her, she soon realized that strangers can plan an attack based on her expected modus operandi.

Antonio Baptista, the predator named in the case, watched the husband drive off and secretly chided him for "not paying attention to his beautiful wife" (Cooper, King, & McHoes, 17). After entering the house, the potential rapist then surprised the lady and locked her into her bedroom. His dialogue at first is confusing as he acts as though he has been acquainted with his victim, but her responses indicate the opposite is true. His obsession for his victim is so overwhelming that he gets easily agitated when she rejects his romantic overtures. Furious, he forces himself upon her and rapes her. According to Cooper, this rape case is one of the worst cases ever handled by Provo, Utah police.

Through the case, Cooper, King, and McHoes (2007) show the reader that although the rape incident was brutal, the victim may have been able to prevent the attack by taking a few precautions. The authors emphasize the importance of spontaneity rather than maintaining a predictable schedule. "Being predictable enables one to maximize…time…and productivity. The only problem is...you never know who is keeping your schedule" (Cooper, King, & McHoes, 17). As noted throughout the case, the predator had been stalking his victim on a daily basis for six weeks prior to raping her. He knew her every move and he memorized the movements of her husband. The couple needed to be unpredictable every so often and not stick to the same routine that they developed over a period of several years (Cooper, King, & McHoes, 19).

In like manner, the assailant who sexually assault the victim in a separate case presented in the text looked for signs that the victim would be an easy target. According to incarcerated serial rapist Brad Morrison, certain deterrents can prevent predatory attacks "like, if they had a dog, then forget it. Even a small one makes to much noise. If I saw a pair of construction boots, for example, out on the porch or on the landing, I walked right on by" (Cooper, King, & McHoes, 175). The authors argue that by taking these simple measures, the chances that a predator will find you vulnerable and an easy target are reduced.

Victims of rape and sexual assault are not the only prey that predators target. Children are also prone to being considered weak and defenseless in the eyes of criminals. Child molesters and sexual predators often seek out children who are either playing outside alone or are in a situation that allows quick access to an unmonitored child (Cooper, King, & McHoes, 76). The real life child kidnapping and molestation by a sexual predator is "something that is all too common," according to Cooper, King, and McHoes (2007). In one of the cases, the small child engaged in daily online conversations over a period of time. In another case, the child was abducted and then sexually molested by a familiar person. The authors note that crimes against children "are different" than other types of predatory crimes because the predator uses flattery and other tactics that an unsuspecting child can easily fall into (Cooper, King, & McHoes, 88). This is especially true in the case of sexual predators who seek out children online or by watching their movements and attacking the child when he or she is alone.