CMY1502 - Introduction to Criminology: Victims and Reduction of Crime
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THEME 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO VICTIMS OF CRIME
1.1. VICTIMS OF CRIME - DEFINITION AND PROBLEMS RELATED TO
VICTIMISATION
1.1.1 Introduction
● The victim is the most important component of criminology alongside the
study of crime and the criminal
● Unfortunately, victims often don't receive the attention they deserve
● Society tends to focus on the criminal while the victim's injury is pushed to the
background
1.1.2 Key Concepts
1.Crime victim
A person who has been physically/financially injured or had property taken/damaged
by someone committing a crime (Dussich 2006:118)
2.Victimology
An academic and scientific discipline focusing on studying data describing the
cause-effect relationship of victimisation. It includes:
● Events leading to victimisation
● The victim's experience
● The impact of victimisation on the victim
● Measures used by society to respond to victimisation
,3.Victimisation
An occurrence whereby an individual, community or organisation is damaged or
injured significantly. Victims suffer violation of human rights and disturbance of their
safety.
1.1.3 Brief Historical Background
Founders of Victimology (1940s):
1. Benjamin Mendelsohn - considered the "father of victimology"
2. Hans Von Hentig
3. Stephen Schafer
4. Fredric Wertham
1.1.4 Three Paradigms of Victimology
1. Conservative/Positivist Victimology (Right Realist/Conventional)
● Aligned with the political field
● Supports a stringent retributive criminal justice system
● Victim = person who personally suffers harm/loss inflicted by another
● Blame placed solely on the offender
● Victim cannot be blamed
2. Radical Victimology (Left Realism/Liberalism)
● Supports reform of retributive aspects of criminal justice
● Flow of roles between victim and offender
● Definition of offender is broad - includes crimes committed by the powerful
● Victim is NOT completely innocent
● Victim rights shouldn't lessen suspect's rights
,3. Critical Victimology (Left Idealism/Radical Idealism)
● Impact of current criminal justice system should be minimal or shut down
● Offenders are usually regarded as victims
● Responsibility for crime placed on society
● Victimisation = result of social control exercised over society
● Victim rights, restitution and compensation seen as oppressive measures
4. Vianno's Four Stages of Victimisation
Stage 1: Injury/suffering occurs (doesn't have to be criminal).
- Focus is on regaining control.
Stage 2: Injured person sees injury as unfair and unwarranted.
-Starts feeling victimised. Not all people recognise harm - some remain silent (e.g.,
women in abusive relationships).
Stage 3: Individual recognises they are a victim and starts seeking help from
others, organisations, or the criminal justice system.
-May be reluctant due to fear of being blamed.
Stage 4: One is considered a victim only when they recognise they've been
victimised and others are willing to identify the experience as harmful.
-Societal beliefs may make reporting difficult (e.g., child abuse in cultures where
corporal punishment is accepted).
, 1.1.5 Problems Crime Victims Experience
1.1.5.1 Physical Loss
● Heightened adrenaline, increased heart rate
● Hyperventilation, shaking, tears, numbness
● Feeling frozen or experiencing events in slow motion
● Dryness of mouth, enhanced senses, fight or flight response
● Physical injuries: minor, moderate (bruises, broken bones), or severe
(stabbing, gunshot wounds)
● Some injuries visible, others not (internal bleeding)
1.1.5.2 Economic Loss
Direct: Loss through theft or damage of property
Indirect:
● Fixing property or replacing stolen goods
● Increased insurance premiums
● Installing security measures
● Seeking medical assistance
● Participating in criminal justice system (transport costs, child minders)
● Counselling/psychological assistance
● Absence from work/loss of income
● Funeral costs
1.1.5.3 Emotional/Psychological
Four Psychological Reactions:
1. Shock phase: Fear, anger, helplessness, disbelief, guilt
2. Disorganisation phase: Distress, nightmares, depression, guilt, fear, loss of
self-confidence and self-esteem
© Pebetsi Study Hub
THEME 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO VICTIMS OF CRIME
1.1. VICTIMS OF CRIME - DEFINITION AND PROBLEMS RELATED TO
VICTIMISATION
1.1.1 Introduction
● The victim is the most important component of criminology alongside the
study of crime and the criminal
● Unfortunately, victims often don't receive the attention they deserve
● Society tends to focus on the criminal while the victim's injury is pushed to the
background
1.1.2 Key Concepts
1.Crime victim
A person who has been physically/financially injured or had property taken/damaged
by someone committing a crime (Dussich 2006:118)
2.Victimology
An academic and scientific discipline focusing on studying data describing the
cause-effect relationship of victimisation. It includes:
● Events leading to victimisation
● The victim's experience
● The impact of victimisation on the victim
● Measures used by society to respond to victimisation
,3.Victimisation
An occurrence whereby an individual, community or organisation is damaged or
injured significantly. Victims suffer violation of human rights and disturbance of their
safety.
1.1.3 Brief Historical Background
Founders of Victimology (1940s):
1. Benjamin Mendelsohn - considered the "father of victimology"
2. Hans Von Hentig
3. Stephen Schafer
4. Fredric Wertham
1.1.4 Three Paradigms of Victimology
1. Conservative/Positivist Victimology (Right Realist/Conventional)
● Aligned with the political field
● Supports a stringent retributive criminal justice system
● Victim = person who personally suffers harm/loss inflicted by another
● Blame placed solely on the offender
● Victim cannot be blamed
2. Radical Victimology (Left Realism/Liberalism)
● Supports reform of retributive aspects of criminal justice
● Flow of roles between victim and offender
● Definition of offender is broad - includes crimes committed by the powerful
● Victim is NOT completely innocent
● Victim rights shouldn't lessen suspect's rights
,3. Critical Victimology (Left Idealism/Radical Idealism)
● Impact of current criminal justice system should be minimal or shut down
● Offenders are usually regarded as victims
● Responsibility for crime placed on society
● Victimisation = result of social control exercised over society
● Victim rights, restitution and compensation seen as oppressive measures
4. Vianno's Four Stages of Victimisation
Stage 1: Injury/suffering occurs (doesn't have to be criminal).
- Focus is on regaining control.
Stage 2: Injured person sees injury as unfair and unwarranted.
-Starts feeling victimised. Not all people recognise harm - some remain silent (e.g.,
women in abusive relationships).
Stage 3: Individual recognises they are a victim and starts seeking help from
others, organisations, or the criminal justice system.
-May be reluctant due to fear of being blamed.
Stage 4: One is considered a victim only when they recognise they've been
victimised and others are willing to identify the experience as harmful.
-Societal beliefs may make reporting difficult (e.g., child abuse in cultures where
corporal punishment is accepted).
, 1.1.5 Problems Crime Victims Experience
1.1.5.1 Physical Loss
● Heightened adrenaline, increased heart rate
● Hyperventilation, shaking, tears, numbness
● Feeling frozen or experiencing events in slow motion
● Dryness of mouth, enhanced senses, fight or flight response
● Physical injuries: minor, moderate (bruises, broken bones), or severe
(stabbing, gunshot wounds)
● Some injuries visible, others not (internal bleeding)
1.1.5.2 Economic Loss
Direct: Loss through theft or damage of property
Indirect:
● Fixing property or replacing stolen goods
● Increased insurance premiums
● Installing security measures
● Seeking medical assistance
● Participating in criminal justice system (transport costs, child minders)
● Counselling/psychological assistance
● Absence from work/loss of income
● Funeral costs
1.1.5.3 Emotional/Psychological
Four Psychological Reactions:
1. Shock phase: Fear, anger, helplessness, disbelief, guilt
2. Disorganisation phase: Distress, nightmares, depression, guilt, fear, loss of
self-confidence and self-esteem
