Victimology

Victimology is the scholarly study of victims and victimization, focusing on the experiences and needs of victims, the causes and patterns of crime against people, and the responses of individuals, institutions, and society. It encompasses who becomes a victim, under what circumstances, the impact of crime, and strategies for prevention and support.

History and scope: The field is often traced to mid-20th-century work by Benjamin Mendelsohn, who argued for a systematic study of victims. Since then, victimology has broadened to include different victim populations (such as children, women, the elderly, and marginalized groups), types of victimization (crime, war, disasters), and the social and policy contexts surrounding victims and the criminal justice system.

Theoretical foundations and concepts: The study uses criminological and sociological theories to explain risk and resilience. Routine activity theory and lifestyle-exposure theory describe how victimization occurs in everyday life; victim precipitation and boundary concepts examine the offender–victim dynamic (often controversial). Critical and feminist perspectives emphasize power, structural inequalities, and social responses to victims. The field also addresses secondary victimization by institutions and media.

Methodologies and impact: Researchers rely on victimization surveys (e.g., National Crime Victimization Survey, British Crime Survey, International Crime Victim Survey) alongside official crime statistics. Assessments cover physical and psychological harm, financial loss, long-term health effects, and social stigma. Policy implications include victims’ rights, advocacy services, trauma-informed care, restitution, and restorative justice programs.