Understanding Global
Victimization
Global victimization encompasses harm experienced by individuals
or groups due to crime, violence, discrimination, or systemic
injustice that crosses national borders. It includes physical,
psychological, and social impacts shaped by global inequalities,
conflict, culture, and law enforcement capabilities.
This presentation explores various forms of victimization,
transnational crimes, cultural variations, state-sponsored crimes,
international efforts, and challenges in addressing global
victimology.
by ALFOSINA MAFERE
Forms of Victimization and Transnational Crim
Forms of Victimization Transnational Crimes
• Criminal: Assault, sexual violence, robbery, homicide Offenses crossing national borders, often organized
• Political: State-sponsored torture, repression, genocide and profit-driven, exploiting legal gaps.
• Structural: Poverty, racial injustice, gender inequality Victimization includes harm to individuals,
• Environmental: Climate disasters, displacement communities, and societies globally.
• Digital: Cybercrime, identity theft, online harassment
Major Transnational Crimes and Their Victim
Human Trafficking Drug Trafficking Arms Smuggling
Recruitment and exploitation, Impacts producers and users, Fuels conflict and violence;
mainly affecting women, causing addiction, violence, civilians suffer displacement,
children, and migrants with and community corruption. injury, or death.
physical abuse and trauma.
Cybercrime Terrorism Financing
Includes identity theft and online scams, causing Linked to organized crime; victims face bombings,
financial and emotional harm. extortion, and instability.
Characteristics of Victimization from
Transnational Crime
Invisible and Lack of Legal Psychological and Revictimization
Vulnerable Recourse Physical Harm
Some victims are
Marginalized groups like Jurisdictional Victims endure trauma, criminalized, such as
undocumented migrants complexities and weak exploitation, loss of trafficked persons
and impoverished cross-border laws hinder freedom, or death. prosecuted for illegal
women are often justice. migration.
overlooked victims.
Cultural Variations in Victimization
Cultural Norms
Honor-based violence and rigid gender roles shape victimization perceptions.
Legal Responses
Varied approaches to domestic violence and hate crimes reflect cultural and legal differences.
Reporting and Stigma
Survivors in patriarchal societies face stigma, leading to underreporting.
Structural Factors
Colonial legacies and poverty influence systemic violence and victimization rates.
Collective Victimization
Ethnic conflicts and Indigenous marginalization highlight group victimization.
State-Sponsored Crimes and Their Impact
Definition and Forms Victims' Experiences Examples Challenges
Unlawful acts by Long-term psychological, Historical apartheid, Government control of
governments including physical, and financial Holocaust, and recent media and judiciary
war crimes, repression, harm with limited justice police killings and limits transparency;
police brutality, and and accountability. surveillance abuses. victims fear retaliation.
corruption.
International Efforts to Address Victimizatio
Rome Statute CEDAW Convention on the
Rights of the Child
Prosecutes genocide, crimes Human rights treaty aiming to
against humanity, and eliminate discrimination and Protects children from
aggression to hold perpetrators violence against women. exploitation and abuse,
accountable. combating child labor and
marriage.
Palermo Protocol UN and UNICEF
Framework against human trafficking promoting Focus on ending violence against women and
cooperation, victim protection, and prosecution. protecting children from exploitation.
Victim Support Initiatives in Zimbabwe
Victim Friendly Unit One Stop Centre Adult Rape Clinic
Provides sensitive support and Offers integrated services Specialized care and
protection for victims of including medical, legal, and treatment for survivors of
crime. counseling support. sexual violence.
Musasa Project Child Help Line
Supports women facing violence through shelter Helpline for children needing protection and
and advocacy. assistance.
Challenges in Global Victimology
Inadequate Support
Underreporting
Global shortage of shelters,
Fear, shame, stigma, and distrust counseling, and legal aid hinders
deter victims from reporting, 2 recovery.
especially in sexual violence cases. 1 Cultural Victimization
Norms like forced marriage and
3 corrective rape limit victim
Policy Gaps recognition and accountability.
5
Weak enforcement and inconsistent 4 Secondary Victimization
implementation leave victims
vulnerable. Victims face trauma from insensitive
or biased treatment by institutions.
