LIKE TAKING CANDY: Why does Repeat Victimization Occur?

Research into the extent and policy implications of repeat victimization has outpaced understanding of why it occurs. This paper argues that repeating a crime against the same victim can be seen as a rational choice on the part of the offender. Specific crime types are addressed in turn, from the more obvious repeat crimes such as domestic violence, racial attacks, and child abuse, to the less obvious such as car crime and burglary. Advantages to the offender of repeat offending against the same target are advanced. Reasons for repeat victimization are sought in terms of risk heterogeneity predating a first offence, and state-dependence, whereby a first offence makes a subsequent victimization more likely. A speculative typology of crime types inviting repetition of one or other kind is presented, and suggestions for further research advanced.