Victims' decisions to contact police are influenced by the offenders' criminal history, although this factor may be more influential at other stages of the criminal process.

Question

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Victims may consider the offender's criminal history when deciding to contact the police, as it can influence their perceptions of threat, seriousness of the incident, and the likelihood of receiving a supportive response from law enforcement. However, the offender's criminal history might play a more significant role in later stages of the criminal process, such as prosecution and sentencing, where it can directly impact legal outcomes.

Victims' Decisions to Contact Police Are Influenced by the Offenders