Although this fact is perhaps reassuring to those persons who believe that they have only peaceable associates, it adds to the general sense of helplessness. It is easy to feel helpless when thinking about assaults and homicides. Motives are closely bound up in the relationship between the offender and victim. Analysis of the Kansas City data showed that violence frequently was preceded by threats. The researchers further found that the most important variable governing whether a threat was made was a third party as the source of the disturbance.
Men are by far the more frequent offenders and victims of homicides and aggravated assaults.
One of the most striking patterns found in homicides and aggravated assaults is the prevalence of violence and conflict in the histories of both offenders and victims. A total of 87.4 percent of assault victims expressed the view that if conflicts occurred in the future, serious injury or death might result. More than for other crimes, the victim of homicide or aggravated assault often provokes the attack that ends in his injury or death. It appears that in many cases the victims misjudged their own ability to arouse hostility in others. Approximately a quarter of all homicides result from strong provocation by the victim.