KRM 220
Victimology
Study Unit 1 : Overview of concepts in victimology
Three Victimology paradigms focusing on the relationship between a victim and an
offender:
1. Conservative law and order paradigm – According to this paradigm, a victim is a
person that personally suffers harm, loss or injury. The offender carries all the blame and
the victim is regarded as blameless. Thus, the need for victim rights is emphasised in this
paradigm.
2. Radical Victimology paradigm – Diffusion of roles between the victim and the
offender. The offender is seen as someone who misuses his power. Focus on dynamics
between the offender and the victim. Victim isn’t viewed as entirely blameless. This
approach is the one that is used in the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of
Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. The rights of victims are seen as
important, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights of the offender.
3. The Critical Victimology paradigm – According to this paradigm, the CJS should be
abolished or the influence that the CJS has must be reduced drastically. Offenders are
also viewed as victims and society is blamed for the crimes committed. Thus, according
to this paradigm, crime is a reaction to the society within which the offenders live and
work. Thus, society is viewed as the real offender.
Viano’s process approach towards defining the concept ‘victim’
The 4 stages include:
1. A person is injured or suffers at the hand of another person or institution.
2. The injured person perceives the suffering as unjust and undeserved and regards
himself or herself as being victimised.
3. The person will look outside him-or herself towards significant others (family or
friends), helping organisations or the CJS for recognition of the fact that he or she has
become a victim.
4. It is only when other people recognise and acknowledge that the person has been
victimised that the person is actually regarded as a victim.
One of the things that most victims endure is secondary victimisation = Despite the
fact that the individuals already experienced victimisation, they are victimised again by
the insensitive treatment of those that were supposed to protect and assist them in the
aftermath of the crime (for example the police, family members, doctors, nurses, lawyers
or other people that they come into contact with after the incident)
Victimology
Study Unit 1 : Overview of concepts in victimology
Three Victimology paradigms focusing on the relationship between a victim and an
offender:
1. Conservative law and order paradigm – According to this paradigm, a victim is a
person that personally suffers harm, loss or injury. The offender carries all the blame and
the victim is regarded as blameless. Thus, the need for victim rights is emphasised in this
paradigm.
2. Radical Victimology paradigm – Diffusion of roles between the victim and the
offender. The offender is seen as someone who misuses his power. Focus on dynamics
between the offender and the victim. Victim isn’t viewed as entirely blameless. This
approach is the one that is used in the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of
Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. The rights of victims are seen as
important, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights of the offender.
3. The Critical Victimology paradigm – According to this paradigm, the CJS should be
abolished or the influence that the CJS has must be reduced drastically. Offenders are
also viewed as victims and society is blamed for the crimes committed. Thus, according
to this paradigm, crime is a reaction to the society within which the offenders live and
work. Thus, society is viewed as the real offender.
Viano’s process approach towards defining the concept ‘victim’
The 4 stages include:
1. A person is injured or suffers at the hand of another person or institution.
2. The injured person perceives the suffering as unjust and undeserved and regards
himself or herself as being victimised.
3. The person will look outside him-or herself towards significant others (family or
friends), helping organisations or the CJS for recognition of the fact that he or she has
become a victim.
4. It is only when other people recognise and acknowledge that the person has been
victimised that the person is actually regarded as a victim.
One of the things that most victims endure is secondary victimisation = Despite the
fact that the individuals already experienced victimisation, they are victimised again by
the insensitive treatment of those that were supposed to protect and assist them in the
aftermath of the crime (for example the police, family members, doctors, nurses, lawyers
or other people that they come into contact with after the incident)
