GENERAL CONCEPT OF

VICTIMOLOGY AND IT’S

THREE MODERN
THEORIES
JEHIEL ANNE M VILLANUEVA
URIEL R TOME
VICTIMOLOGY
• TERM/CONCEPT

• HISTORY AND PIONEERS OF VICTIMOLOGY

• TYPES OF VICTIMS

• THEORIES OF VICTIMOLOGY
 TERMINOLOGIS
T IS VICTIMOLOGY?
WHAT
- the study of the victims of crime and the psychological effects on them
of their experience.

- the scientific study of the psychological effects of crime and the

relationship between victims and offender.

VICTIMOLOGY IN CRIMINOLOGY

- branch of criminology that scientifically studies the

relationship between an injured party and an offender by examining
the causes and the nature of the consequent suffering.
History of Victimology
• victimology can be traced back to the early 20th century, when
criminologists began to study the role of victims in crime.

• One of the earliest pioneers in the field of victimology was Benjamin

Mendelsohn, a Polish lawyer who coined the term "victimology" in
1947.

• Mendelsohn believed that victims played an active role in the

victimization process, and he developed a typology of victims based on
their characteristics and behaviors.

• Another important figure in the early history of victimology was Hans

von Hentig, a German criminologist who published a book titled "The
Criminal and His Victim" in 1948.
FATHERS OF CRIME VICTIM STUDIES
• Benjamin Mendelsohn (1902-1979):
Mendelsohn is considered the "father of victimology" for coining
the term in 1947. He was a Polish lawyer and criminologist who
believed that victims played an active role in the victimization
process. He developed a typology of victims based on their
characteristics and behaviors.

• Hans von Hentig (1887-1974):

Hentig was a German criminologist who published a book titled
"The Criminal and His Victim" in 1948. He argued that victims and
offenders are often linked together in a complex relationship. He
developed a typology of victims based on their interactions with
offenders.
FATHERS OF CRIME VICTIM STUDIES
• Marvin Wolfgang (1924-2010):
Wolfgang was an American criminologist who conducted a study
of homicide victims in Philadelphia in the 1950s. He found that
some victims were more likely to be killed than others. This led to
the development of the victim precipitation theory, which suggests
that victims may contribute to their own victimization by their
behavior or actions.
• Stephen Schafer (1912-1990):

Schafer was an American criminologist who published a book titled "The

Victim and His Criminal" in 1968. He argued that victims should be seen
as active participants in the criminal justice system, and he developed a
typology of victims based on their roles in the criminal process.
 WHAT IS THE VICTIM?
- derived from the “Latin” word “victimia” originally contained
the concept of sacrifice.

- a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime,

accident, natural disaster, destroyed, tricked or duped, mistreated
or one who suffer the consequences of the event or action.

VICTIM IN CRIMINOLOGY
- are the people or communities that suffer physical,
emotional, or financial harm as a result of a crime.
Types of Victims
• Young
• Female • Heartbroken
• Old • Tormentor
• Mentally • Innocent
Defective • Minor Guilt
• Immigrant • Guilty as Offender
• Minorities • Guiltier than
• Depressed Offender
• Greedy • Most Guilty
• Wanton • The Imaginary
• Lonesome
Modern Theories
Victim Precipitation Theory
The victim precipitation theory states that some victims initiate the
confrontation that leads to their victimization, whether actively or passively.

Passive precipitation means that the victim unconsciously

behaves in a way or has specific characteristics that instigate or
encourage an attack.

Active precipitation on the other hand, occurs when the victim

engages in threatening or provocative actions.
Lifestyle Theory
The lifestyle theory maintains that criminals target individuals due
to their lifestyle choices. Many victims’ options expose them to
criminal offenders and situations where crime is likely to occur.

Deviant Place Theory

The deviant place theory is the theory that the more often a
victim visits a dangerous place, the more likely they will be
exposed to crime, which raises their chance of being
victimized.