VICTIMOLOGY

What is Victimology?
The study of the ways in which the behaviour of crime victims may have
led to or contributed to their victimization. (Mirriam – Webster
Dictionary)

Independent study of relationships / interactions between offender and

the victim C.S. Shaferm author: Victim and His Criminal (1968)

Scientific study of the extent, nature and causes of criminal /

victimization, its consequences to persons involved and the reactions
thereto by society and criminal / justice system (World Society of
Victimology (WSM) founded by criminologists Schneider and Drapkin
in 1979)
 WORLD SOCIETY OF VICTIMOLOGY
(WSV)
Instrumental in the development and subsequent adaption of the
“Declaration On the Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime
and Abuse of Power” of the United Nations.

An offshoot of the global development of victimology as a discipline or

field of research.
Who is a
Crime Victim?
Refers to any person,
group or entity who
has suffered
injury/loss due to
illegal/activity
 VICTIM

Is derived from the Latin word “victima” which means literally “a well-
grown beast” but later came to mean a person or animal / killed or
sacrificed to God/Gods, a person injured / destroyed by another person.

Means persons, who individually or collectively have suffered harm

including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss
through acts or omissions that are in violation of criminal laws (United
Nations Declaration)
 Click icon to add picture
The ANATOMY OF CRIME
(Elements or Ingredients of Crime)

S
IE
OP
IT
CRIME

AL

PO
Is an act or omission,

NT

RT
in violation of public

ME

UN
law, forbidding or
commanding it.
RU
CRIME

IT
(Bouviers Law

IE
ST
Dictionary)

S
IN

MOTIVE
 MOTIVE

Refers to the reason / cause why a person commits a crime .

Example:
Dispute
Jealousy
Revenge Insanity
Intoxication
Drug Addiction (Physical Injury or
Homicide)
Economic Gain (Theft or Robbery) and many
others
 INSTRUMENTALITY

Means or implement in the commission of crime.

Example:
Firearms
Bolo
Knife
Crow Bar
Motor Vehicles
Poisonous Substance
 OPPORTUNITY
Consists of the acts of omission or commission by a person (the victim) which
enables another person (criminal) to perpetrate the crime.
Example:
Leaving one’s home unattended for a long period of time
Unlocked Doors / Windows
Walking alone in a well-known crime prone alleys
(streets)
Wearing expensive jewelleries in crowded areas
Flashing a lot of money openly in the public
CRIMINAL FORMULA

C= T + S
Where: R
C Crime / Criminal Behaviour (The Act)

T Criminal Tendency (Desire / Intent)

S Total Situation (Opportunity)

R Resistance to Temptation (Control)

The formula shows that a persons criminal
tendency and his resistance to them may
either result in criminal act depending upon
which of them is STRONGER. This means
that, a crime / criminal behaviour exist when
the person’s resistance is insufficient to
withstand the pressure of his desire or intent
and the opportunity.
Is Victimology a sort of Victim-
blaming in the causation of Crime?
According to Criminologist Steven Schafer “
No! Victimology is an independent study of
RELATIONSHIP / INTERACTIONS between the
offender and the victim.”
As a field of scientific endeavour, Victimology took off as
a separate discipline round in 1970

Pioneered by German criminologist Von Hentig and

criminal law scholar Benjamin Mendelshon
They are known as the ”Fathers of Victimology

Mendelshon coined the word “Victimology”

 UNDERSTANDING: CRIMINOLOGY
BETWEEN VICTIMOLOGY
- A body of knowledge regarding, CRIME and
CRIMINALS as a social phenomena. (edwin
Sutherland)
CRIMINOLOGY - Aims to understand the criminals’ motives and the
underlying causes of crimes
- Look at every conceivable of deviant behaviour
such as the impacts of crime on individual victims
and their families, society at large and even
criminals.
- Focus on helping victims heal after a crime
- Concerned with fostering recovery of victims
VICTIMOLOGY - Seeks better prevention of crime
- Challenge the society’s cooperation and
governments indespensable aid not only for justice
but in social reintegration.