INTRODUCTION

Victimology, a scientific study of criminal victims, reveals how victimization occurs, its
effects, and how victims interact with the criminal justice system and the offender. As a subfield
of criminology, it studies the link between criminal behavior, motivations, and the criminal justice
system. "Sex workers as victims" refers to the perception that sex workers are often subjected
to various forms of abuse and exploitation. Unfortunately, there is a tendency to blame the
victims, also known as victim-blaming, instead of holding the perpetrators accountable for their
actions.

The Yorkshire Ripper Case serves as a prime example to analyze the victims' ordeal
and how law enforcement dealt with the case. By identifying possible problems and providing
solutions, we can hope to reduce the instances of such crimes.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Between 1975 and 1981, a man who went by the name "Yorkshire Ripper" ruthlessly
murdered over a dozen women in the North of England and made seven more murder attempts,
leaving at least 23 children motherless. While the majority of the victims were prostitutes, some
were merely regular girls (O'Gara, 2006). Before computers were used, one of the largest
investigations ever carried out by a British police department was the hunt for the "Ripper".
Aside from the femicide, the case was notorious for police negligence, misogyny, and victim-
blaming.

During the early stages of the Ripper investigation, the murderer was labeled as a
'prostitute killer' although the majority of his victims were not prostitutes. This was due to his
callous behavior towards women. The case is considered an "iconic criminal event" that had a
significant impact on women's fear of violence and murder. It also placed significant temporal
and spatial limitations on their daily lives. The Ripper case may have also had an impact on the
way society viewed the police response to prostitution. In the decades following the case, there
have been several improvements to regulation with a greater emphasis on recognizing the
welfare of sex workers and ensuring their safety.

By examining Peter Sutcliffe's 13 murders and seven attacks on women, we can reflect
on gender, violence against women, and victimhood on a variety of levels. Sutcliffe's attacks
were concentrated in the red-light districts of Leeds and Bradford in the north of England,
although he also targeted Manchester and many smaller towns in West Yorkshire. According to
reports, the victims were approached from behind and struck in the head with a hammer; they
were frequently cut across the breasts and abdomen, with garments moved to show mutilated
bodies. This was done without knowing if they were really prostitutes or not. Sutcliffe’s early
attacks and his progressive, indiscriminate murder of women outside of red-light areas would
suggest a more general motivation to murder women rather than the claimed hatred of
prostitutes. During the trial, prosecutor Sir Michael Havers, controversially claimed that while
some of the victims were prostitutes, ‘perhaps the saddest part of this case is that some were
not’ (Bindel, 2006).

During his trial, Sutcliffe admitted to the manslaughter of several women on the grounds
of diminished responsibility. He claimed that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and
had heard voices from God instructing him to rid the streets of prostitutes. This can be identified
as femicide, as his actions were motivated by a culture of misogyny that extended to the male-
dominated legal process. The context of misogyny which characterized the investigation and
trial of Peter Sutcliffe reveals the individual actions of a serial murderer of women as part of a
wider system of gender violence and discrimination against women.

IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM

In this case, there were issues of police incompetence, victim blaming, and misogyny.
First, the police neglected to follow up on important leads that could have helped them catch
Sutcliffe sooner. They examined Sutcliffe nine times but did not investigate his previous
convictions for violence. Additionally, they excluded surviving victims who did not fit their profile
of a killer targeting prostitutes and 'good-time girls' despite providing accurate descriptions of
their attacker. The investigation's biggest failure was the irrational acceptance of three hoax
letters and a cassette recording claiming to be the Ripper and signing off as 'Jack' that were
sent to the police in 1979. The voice that was recorded had a regional accent from the North
East of England, which was different from the accent in West Yorkshire. This led authorities to
suspect that the murderer might be from another location. When Peter Sutcliffe was questioned,
he was cleared of suspicion because he had the wrong accent.

Second, the phenomenon of victim-blaming, where crime victims are held responsible
for the crimes committed against them, has been prevalent in our society for a long time. This
tendency has been described by criminologists using the 'just world' paradigm which highlights
the public's inclination to blame victims for crimes as a result of their immoral behavior or
perceived character flaws. This perception helps to ease feelings of dread or guilt for failing to
provide adequate victim services, and to eliminate negative societal conditions to prevent future
victimization.

Lastly, the violence against women somehow can be linked to being a misogynist. Many
feminist analyses of the Peter Sutcliffe case highlight the misogynistic attitudes directed towards
the victims. It is also noted that the culture of the police force had an impact on the investigation
process. It has been observed that the sexism and machismo that existed in Peter Sutcliffe's
community and peer group were also present in the male-dominated police culture of West
Yorkshire. This further suggests that the investigation was misdirected due to sexist views
towards women. Genuine victims were often overlooked if they did not fit the presumed victim
profile of prostitutes and "good-time girls" targeted by the criminal.
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

Possible alternative solutions could be:

 Policing Prostitution
 Safeguarding sex workers and reducing risk

Policing Prostitution is a powerful and coordinated effort that brings together the best minds
to reduce the scourge of prostitution and related crimes. The initiative is designed to
comprehensively address the issue and is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement
agencies to make our communities safer. By working together, we can make a significant
impact and ensure that our streets are free from the dangers associated with prostitution.
Furthermore, in order to protect sex workers from potential harm and risks, we must consider
alternative approaches when policing prostitution is not feasible. A collaborative effort involving
multiple agencies can establish a safe environment for sex workers. This program ensures that
sex workers are provided with the necessary protection and resources to keep them safe and
secure. By taking proactive steps to safeguard sex workers, we can create a more just and
humane society that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all individuals.

RECOMMENDED COURSES OF ACTION

The way we approach criminal investigations needs to change. To truly get to the
root of the problem, we must understand the relationship between the victim and perpetrator,
and identify any underlying issues that may have led to the crime. Furthermore, it's crucial that
we remove any sexist biases from police investigations. A police force that respects and
believes in women is not only more effective, but also sends a powerful message that gender-
based violence will not be tolerated. By taking these steps, we increase our chances of catching
criminals and ultimately making our communities safer.

CONCLUSION

The Yorkshire Ripper case became the notorious murder case that has remained
unsolved due to the victimology and circumstances surrounding the crime. The victims' lifestyles
and morals, along with the police culture's attitude towards prostitutes and this type of
victimization, have significantly impacted the investigation. Prostitutes are often perceived as
being responsible for their victimization in a culture that is built on misogyny and male-
dominated forces. The violence that occurred was driven by extreme patriarchy, masculinity,
and sexism. By examining the historical context of this case, we can gain insight into the long-
standing patterns and narratives surrounding gender, crime, and punishment. This perspective
allows us to better understand the experiences of women who have been victims of crime, and
how they have sought justice throughout history.

For far too long, sex workers have been treated as outcasts, and their safety and well-
being have been ignored. Despite being victims of violence, they have been denied citizenship
and basic protection. Sadly, there have been very few practical solutions to remedy their
situation. This is a powerful example of how gender, power inequalities, and violence are
interconnected. It is time to recognize the importance of protecting sex workers from violence
and harassment, and to take decisive action to address this issue and promote gender equality.