victimization

Victimization refers to the experience of being harmed by another person, group, or organization through actions that cause physical injury, psychological distress, financial loss, or other harms. It is a focus of criminology and social sciences, which examine how victims come to be targeted, the circumstances that enable harm, and the effects on individuals and communities. Victimization can occur in both criminal and non-criminal contexts.

Types of victimization include criminal offenses such as assault, theft, fraud, and sexual violence, as well as domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, harassment, bullying, and cybervictimization. Non-criminal forms, like workplace harassment, discrimination, or neglect by institutions, can also produce significant harm. The experience and recognition of victimization are shaped by social, cultural, and legal contexts.

Risk factors and mechanisms next to prevalence include age, gender, socio-economic status, relationship to the perpetrator, prior victimization, substance use, and social isolation. Environmental factors, opportunity structures, and community norms influence the likelihood and severity of harm. Victimization often has long-lasting effects that extend beyond the immediate incident.

Impacts can be physical, psychological, and economic, including injuries, trauma and post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, disrupted education or employment, and social stigma. Recovery often involves medical and mental health care, social support, legal remedies, and, where appropriate, restorative or rights-based justice approaches.

Research and policy focus on measuring prevalence, understanding risk factors, and evaluating interventions. Victimology informs laws and programs such as victim rights statutes, compensation schemes, crisis services, and prevention efforts in schools and communities, while addressing issues like underreporting and secondary victimization.