Analyzing Risk Factors

USW1_FPSY_6135_Week03_caseStudies.docx

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Week 3 Case Studies

Becoming an Offender

Case 1

Craig was raised without a father, but his mother, Donna, a strong Christian lady, always loved her son. Because she was a single parent, Craig was often left with babysitters while she worked two jobs or was involved in her prison ministry. When the sitter could not be there on some days, Donna’s neighbor Steve, who worked from home, would take him and not charge her. Donna was always grateful for the extra help and in return baked bread and pies for Steve. What Donna did not know, of course, was that Steve was molesting and raping Craig, who was 6 years old. Craig could not tell his mother of his terror of going to Steve’s house because Steve warned him that if he ever told anyone Steve would kill the puppy that was living in his home. Little Craig loved that puppy, so he never told. At age 11, Craig began setting fires that escalated over the years. At age 13, he was raped by a 26-year-old male. Craig engaged in other crimes, including stealing a police car at age 15, impersonating a police officer, sexual assault on a 12-year-old boy, prostitution, theft, and burglary. He took trophies from his favorite fire crimes by going to the crime scenes at night looking for anything he could add to his collection. Eventually he was apprehended and confessed to the fires and went to prison for several years. He is now back on the streets and has had considerable difficulty in keeping jobs for more than a few months. Craig is determined not to return to prison. He currently resides with his aging mother.

Case 2

Enzo was considered to be a gifted child raised in relative poverty by a loving mother and an absentee father who sometimes paid him visits when he was little. He also remembers visiting his dad in jail. Enzo performed well in school but remembers having to fight off bullies. He was teased because he liked playing musical instruments. His neighborhood was controlled by gangs and his older brother joined one, telling Enzo that if he wanted to be cool then he too could join his gang when he was old enough. As Enzo grew into his teens he knew that survival meant being part of a gang. By then he had smoked some dope a few times with his brother and hung out with him and other gang members. Enzo believed that by having a gang affiliation he would be respected and feared by others even though he had no desire to harm anyone. The night he was jumped (initiated) into the gang he was told there would be a test of his loyalty. He was to carry out a drive-by shooting on a rival gang. The next week Enzo drove by a residence and fired his weapon into the house. One rival gang member was wounded and a 6-year-old girl was shot and killed by Enzo’s bullets. He was eventually caught and now sits on California’s death row.

Becoming a Victim

Case 1

Sally was determined not to become a victim of crime. She lived in a safe neighborhood, did not talk to strangers, kept her doors locked at all times, and parked her car in a safe location when she went shopping. Widowed at 50, Sally had a good job and was financially secure. Although she lived alone, her children came to visit, and she also belonged to a local singles group at her church. Although she was relatively happy, Sally was lonely at times. She started looking online for dating organizations to see if there were men her age who would be compatible. Then Sally met Harry, who seemed like a really nice man. He too had taken to the Internet after his wife had run off, and he wanted companionship and maybe even romance. They e-mailed each day for 2 weeks and sent pictures. She finally got brave and called Harry. He was charming, kind, and articulate. She quickly realized that Harry had much in common with her. He really wanted to come and visit, but he was still reeling from the divorce and had no money to fly across the country. He was trying to fix up the car his wife had left behind, but it needed some repair work. Could she loan him the money just for a few weeks till he paid off his final divorce costs? So Sally offered to cover his car repair expenses so they could meet in person and sent Harry a check for $3,000. Harry immediately cashed the check and never contacted Sally again.

Case 2

Some men who are sexual predators like the thrill of preying upon women in public places. Large grocery stores are a good example. Women learn a variety of self-protection behaviors when in public, including keeping your purse in sight at all times and not talking to strangers. So where in a large grocery store might a woman be at risk of sexual victimization? Check-out counter? Frozen foods section? Magazine section? Canned food section? Greeting card Section? Of course, sexual assault could occur just about anywhere, but predators have their preferences. If you picked the greeting card section you are correct. Why? Because women are the primary buyers of greeting cards and will read every word on each trying to find just the right meaning. Some become completely oblivious to their surroundings for several moments. And that is exactly what a sexual predator wants: Distraction.