Victimology is the study of victims, including those of violent and white-collar crimes, and human rights abuses. It can aid in criminal investigations and advance psychotherapy treatments for victims. However, understanding demographic patterns of victimization can be controversial and victimology is a diverse field with competing theories.
Victimology is a field of study that focuses on the study of victims. This includes victims of violent crime and white collar crime along with people who have experienced human rights abuses. Understanding victims is of interest to a number of people, ranging from psychologists to criminal investigators. The field of victimology really exploded in the 1970s, with the rise of a number of prominent figures who posed a variety of victim theories, some of which continue to be used today.
Victimologists can study a wide variety of topics. Some are interested in the psychological impacts of being a victim, using their studies to advance treatment techniques in the field of psychotherapy for victims. Others are interested in the interactions between victims and offenders, victims and society, victims and the legal system. For example, some researchers are very interested in the media’s treatment of rape victims, while others may study topics such as the treatment of robbery victims in courtrooms.
In criminal investigations, victimology can be an important part of investigating and solving a crime. Investigators can explore why certain people may have been singled out as victims, to learn more about the criminal who perpetrated the acts. For example, an investigator might realize that victims are chosen purely as a matter of convenience, or that a criminal is pursuing people who look or act a certain way.
Understanding why some people become victims and studying demographic patterns of victimization can be controversial at times. Victimology is not meant to support or promote victim blaming, but it can sometimes feel like it is. For example, the statement “prostitutes are high-risk targets for crime” could be considered loaded by some people suggesting that the statement is actually suggesting that sex workers deserve to be victimized, when in fact it is not. doing no such thing. Identifying high-risk groups and studying which groups are more likely to be victimized does not condone criminal behavior.
As in many other fields of academic interest, victimology is very diverse. There are competing theories and ways of thinking about work that can conflict from time to time. Many members of this field belong to professional organizations which gives them the opportunity to network with others and learn about the latest research. People in this field work as researchers, college professors, psychologists, criminal investigators, lawyers, and in many other areas of work involving victims, criminals, and the justice system.
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