Victimology
Victims and
Victimization

QUESTIONS:
?When did we begin to focus our attention to “Crime
Victims”?
?What is “Collective Victimization”?
?What is the universally accepted definition of “Crime
Victim”?
?How does the field of victimology tend to understand
the victim?
Patterns of Victimization:
Geography

Patterns of Victimization:
Gender

Patterns of Victimization:
Ethnicity

Patterns of Victimization:
Class

Patterns of Victimization: Age

Patterns of Victimization: Rape

Theories of Victimization

 Lifestyles theory-the
lifestyles of some
people put them more
at risk for becoming
crime victims
 Routine Activities
Theory-people engage
in regular or routine
activities that increase
their risk for
victimization
PRECIPITATION

?Do people who commit crimes increase their chances
of becoming victims?
?Are women who are raped often “asking for it”
through their behavior?
?What does the NCVS predict about violent crime and
property crime victims?
Consequences of
Victimization

 Costs and Consequences
 Victim Impact Statements