Victimology
CMY3705
Study notes that has everything important from the study guide
80% + If you study this thoroughly
,Module: Victimology
Introduction:
- Victimology is a fascinating and challenging field within criminology.
- The module aims to shape your understanding of criminology and motivate you to make valuable
contributions to society.
- Victims are the focus of Victimology, studying their relationship with offenders, causes of suffering,
and types of victimisation.
What is Victimology?
- Victimology is a branch of criminology that scientifically studies the relationship between victims
and offenders.
- It examines the causes and nature of suffering, considering the identity and relationship between
victims and perpetrators.
- Victimology also explores the economic, physical, and psychological impacts of criminal
victimisation.
- Socioeconomic conditions and cultural practices can contribute to victimisation.
Learning Unit 1: Brief History
- Victims were largely ignored by the criminal justice system and criminologists until the emergence
of Victimology.
- In the 1940s, European criminologists Von Hentig and Mendelsohn pioneered Victimology.
- Initially, Victimology focused on how victims contributed to crimes through their behaviour and
attitudes.
- Victims were held responsible in many ways, sharing responsibility with offenders.
- Explore webpages on the origin of Victimology for further reading and understanding.
Definition of Concepts:
- The UN Declaration defines victims as individuals who have suffered harm, including physical,
mental, emotional, and economic, due to criminal acts.
- A crime victim refers to any person, group, or entity who has experienced injury or loss due to
illegal activity.
- The legal definition of a victim includes direct or threatened harm resulting from a crime.
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary crime victims experience harm differently, including intimate
partners, significant others, and those affected vicariously.
History of Victimology:
- Van Dijk's address on "Victimology: fifty years on" provides a comprehensive history of Victimology.
- Victimology is a sub-discipline of Criminology with its own historical development.
- Historical sources, such as Von Hentig's "The criminal and his victim" and Mendelsohn's "The Origin
of the Doctrine of Victimology," offer valuable insights.
- Access additional sources cited to gain a broader understanding of Victimology.
, LEARNING UNIT 2: Victim Support and Empowerment
DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
- Secondary victimisation: Ill-informed, insensitive, blaming treatment of victims by officials in the
criminal justice system and by the victim's family, friends, or community.
- Blaming: Blaming the victim for the crime or for contributing to the crime.
HOW DOES SECONDARY VICTIMISATION OCCUR?
- Secondary victimisation begins when the victim reports the crime to the police.
- Victims, especially women and children, face disbelief from the police, particularly in cases of sexual
assault or rape.
- The insensitive treatment from officials during the reporting process contributes to secondary
victimisation.
- Resistance from family, friends, and the community can discourage victims from reporting the
crime, leaving them feeling alone and isolated.
- Lack of understanding of court processes and procedures adds to the victim's distress and
uncertainty.
- Long waiting periods and delays between reporting and appearing in court increase stress for the
victim.
- Inappropriate cross-questioning by the defence attorney during the court hearing can be traumatic
for the victim.
- Case study: Lindy, a thirteen-year-old girl, experienced secondary effects after being sexually
molested by her stepfather.
- Lindy faced a lengthy and traumatic process, including waiting for medical examination, giving a
statement to the police, and being discouraged from speaking to a therapist.
- During the court proceedings, Lindy was presented as a liar, blamed for the event, and faced
difficulties in her personal life, such as behavioural problems and substance abuse.
- The court case had a detrimental effect on Lindy's relationships, education, and overall well-being.
WHAT IS VICTIM EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT?
- Victim empowerment: Helping victims overcome grief and resentment, enabling them to become
positive, proactive, and self-motivated members of society.
- Victim support: Strategies and policies that provide communities with skills, support, and tools to
advocate for victims' rights and needs.
VICTIM SUPPORT MODELS
- Care model: Providing victim services as a form of welfare or charity, such as state compensation
schemes and support services like rape crisis centres.
- Criminal justice model: Incorporating victims into the criminal justice process, including support
agencies, advice on preventive measures, victim impact statements, and restitution from the
offender.
- Prevention model: Viewing victim services as part of crime prevention, emphasising the role of
victims in reporting crimes, supplying information, and improving self-protection measures.
CMY3705
Study notes that has everything important from the study guide
80% + If you study this thoroughly
,Module: Victimology
Introduction:
- Victimology is a fascinating and challenging field within criminology.
- The module aims to shape your understanding of criminology and motivate you to make valuable
contributions to society.
- Victims are the focus of Victimology, studying their relationship with offenders, causes of suffering,
and types of victimisation.
What is Victimology?
- Victimology is a branch of criminology that scientifically studies the relationship between victims
and offenders.
- It examines the causes and nature of suffering, considering the identity and relationship between
victims and perpetrators.
- Victimology also explores the economic, physical, and psychological impacts of criminal
victimisation.
- Socioeconomic conditions and cultural practices can contribute to victimisation.
Learning Unit 1: Brief History
- Victims were largely ignored by the criminal justice system and criminologists until the emergence
of Victimology.
- In the 1940s, European criminologists Von Hentig and Mendelsohn pioneered Victimology.
- Initially, Victimology focused on how victims contributed to crimes through their behaviour and
attitudes.
- Victims were held responsible in many ways, sharing responsibility with offenders.
- Explore webpages on the origin of Victimology for further reading and understanding.
Definition of Concepts:
- The UN Declaration defines victims as individuals who have suffered harm, including physical,
mental, emotional, and economic, due to criminal acts.
- A crime victim refers to any person, group, or entity who has experienced injury or loss due to
illegal activity.
- The legal definition of a victim includes direct or threatened harm resulting from a crime.
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary crime victims experience harm differently, including intimate
partners, significant others, and those affected vicariously.
History of Victimology:
- Van Dijk's address on "Victimology: fifty years on" provides a comprehensive history of Victimology.
- Victimology is a sub-discipline of Criminology with its own historical development.
- Historical sources, such as Von Hentig's "The criminal and his victim" and Mendelsohn's "The Origin
of the Doctrine of Victimology," offer valuable insights.
- Access additional sources cited to gain a broader understanding of Victimology.
, LEARNING UNIT 2: Victim Support and Empowerment
DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
- Secondary victimisation: Ill-informed, insensitive, blaming treatment of victims by officials in the
criminal justice system and by the victim's family, friends, or community.
- Blaming: Blaming the victim for the crime or for contributing to the crime.
HOW DOES SECONDARY VICTIMISATION OCCUR?
- Secondary victimisation begins when the victim reports the crime to the police.
- Victims, especially women and children, face disbelief from the police, particularly in cases of sexual
assault or rape.
- The insensitive treatment from officials during the reporting process contributes to secondary
victimisation.
- Resistance from family, friends, and the community can discourage victims from reporting the
crime, leaving them feeling alone and isolated.
- Lack of understanding of court processes and procedures adds to the victim's distress and
uncertainty.
- Long waiting periods and delays between reporting and appearing in court increase stress for the
victim.
- Inappropriate cross-questioning by the defence attorney during the court hearing can be traumatic
for the victim.
- Case study: Lindy, a thirteen-year-old girl, experienced secondary effects after being sexually
molested by her stepfather.
- Lindy faced a lengthy and traumatic process, including waiting for medical examination, giving a
statement to the police, and being discouraged from speaking to a therapist.
- During the court proceedings, Lindy was presented as a liar, blamed for the event, and faced
difficulties in her personal life, such as behavioural problems and substance abuse.
- The court case had a detrimental effect on Lindy's relationships, education, and overall well-being.
WHAT IS VICTIM EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT?
- Victim empowerment: Helping victims overcome grief and resentment, enabling them to become
positive, proactive, and self-motivated members of society.
- Victim support: Strategies and policies that provide communities with skills, support, and tools to
advocate for victims' rights and needs.
VICTIM SUPPORT MODELS
- Care model: Providing victim services as a form of welfare or charity, such as state compensation
schemes and support services like rape crisis centres.
- Criminal justice model: Incorporating victims into the criminal justice process, including support
agencies, advice on preventive measures, victim impact statements, and restitution from the
offender.
- Prevention model: Viewing victim services as part of crime prevention, emphasising the role of
victims in reporting crimes, supplying information, and improving self-protection measures.
