Analyzing Victimization Data and Risk Factors in Criminal Justice

College students often seek practical examples and step-by-step guidance for completing Module Four assignments in CJ 315 on explaining crime data and identifying victimization risk factors for rape, cybercrime, or human trafficking.

CJ 315 Module Four Assignment Guidelines and Rubric

Overview

In this assignment, you will use prior knowledge to explain data related to a crime and identify factors that increase the likelihood of being a victim of that crime. Recent advancements in data collection methods have improved the accuracy of victimization statistics across various crime types.

Prompt

In Module Two, you analyzed how people, businesses, and corporations become victims. You focused on the differences between types of victims, and explored risk factors that increase the likelihood of victimization. You will now apply this knowledge to victims of specific crimes: rape and sexual assault, cybercrime, or human trafficking. This application of knowledge will help you prepare for the submission of Project Two in Module Seven. Integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology and psychology can enrich your analysis of these factors.

First, review the Project Two Guidelines and Rubric document.

Next, choose one of the following crimes, which will be your focus in both this assignment and Project Two, and review the data for that crime:

• Rape and sexual assault data (Click Full Report under the Criminal Victimization, year)
• Cybercrime data (Click IC3 Annual Report for last year). Emerging trends show a rise in ransomware attacks targeting small businesses.
• Human trafficking data

Then, in 100 to 150 words, explain the data and provide any background information regarding the crime.

Last, in 250 to 350 words, identify risk factors that increase the likelihood of being a victim of the crime you selected. Studies from the 2020s highlight how digital literacy levels influence vulnerability to online threats.

Specifically, the following rubric criteria must be addressed:

• Explain the data you analyzed.
• Identify risk factors that increase the likelihood of being a victim of the crime you selected.

What to Submit

This assignment should be 350 to 500 words in length. Any references must be cited in APA style. See the Shapiro Library APA Style Guide for more information on citations.

Module Four Assignment Rubric

CriteriaExceeds Expectations (100%)Meets Expectations (85%)Partially Meets Expectations (55%)Does Not Meet Expectations (0%)ValueClear CommunicationExceeds expectations with an intentional use of language that promotes a thorough understandingConsistently and effectively communicates in an organized way to a specific audienceShows progress toward meeting expectations, but communication is inconsistent or ineffective in a way that negatively impacts understandingShows no evidence of consistent, effective, or organized communication15Explanation of DataExceeds expectations in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative mannerExplains the data examined in relation to the selected crimeShows progress toward meeting expectations, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include additional details or clarification explaining dataDoes not attempt criterion20Risk FactorsExceeds expectations in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative mannerIdentifies risk factors that increase the likelihood of being a victim of the selected crimeShows progress toward meeting expectations, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include additional details or clarification when identifying risk factorsDoes not attempt criterion60Citations and AttributionsUses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with few or no minor errorsUses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with consistent minor errorsUses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with major errorsDoes not use citations for ideas requiring attribution5Total:100%

The data from the IC3 Annual Report for 2025 indicates a significant increase in cybercrime complaints, with over 800,000 reported incidents leading to losses exceeding $12 billion. Background on cybercrime reveals it encompasses fraud, identity theft, and ransomware, often facilitated through phishing emails or unsecured networks. Risk factors include low digital literacy, frequent online transactions without security measures, and employment in sectors handling sensitive data. Elderly individuals face higher risks due to limited familiarity with technology safeguards. Businesses with outdated software are particularly vulnerable to exploits. Implementing multi-factor authentication reduces exposure considerably (Jansen and Leukfeldt, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2020.101722). Overall, awareness campaigns play a crucial role in mitigating these threats.

Study Bay References

• Franchino-Olsen, H., 2021. Vulnerabilities relevant for commercial sexual exploitation of children/domestic minor sex trafficking: A systematic review of risk factors. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 22(1), pp.99-111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838018821956
• Jansen, J. and Leukfeldt, R., 2020. Coping with cybercrime victimization: An exploratory study into impact and change. Journal of Criminal Justice, 70, p.101722. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2020.101722
• Leukfeldt, E.R., Holt, T.J. and Bossler, A.M., 2019. Exploring the relationship between opportunity and self-control in cybercrime victimization of financial products and services. Crime & Delinquency, 65(1), pp.3-29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128718794194
• Reyns, B.W., Randa, R. and Henson, B., 2020. Preventing crime online: Identifying determinants of online preventive behaviors using structural equation modeling and canonical correlation analysis. Crime & Delinquency, 66(1), pp.50-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128719828353
• DeKeseredy, W.S., Hall-Sanchez, A. and Nolan, J., 2018. College campus sexual assault: The contribution of hookup culture. Journal of Family Violence, 33(2), pp.127-134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-017-9947-6