LIKE TAKING CANDY - WHY DOES REPEAT VICTIMIZATION OCCUR

Research into the extent and policy implications of repeat victimizati on has outpaced understanding of why it occurs. This paper argues that repeating a crime against the same victim can be seen as a rational c hoice on the part of the offender. Specific crime types are addressed in turn,from the more obvious repeat Grimes such as domestic violence, racial attacks, and child abuse, to the less obvious such as car crim e and Burglary. Advantages to the offender of repeat offending against the same target are advanced. Reasons for repeat victimization are so ught in terms of risk heterogeneity predating a first offence, and sta te-dependence, whereby a first offence makes a subsequent victimizatio n more likely. A speculative typology of crime types inviting repetiti on of one or other kind is presented, and suggestions for further rese arch advanced.