Case for Victimology 1
Position Paper: A Case for Victimology
Kristi Campbell
Liberty University
CJUS 649
June 26, 2025
A Case for Victimology
Victimology applies scientific methods to explaining the consequences and causes of
crime victimization. It is also a subfield of criminology. Victims can provide a great insight to law
enforcement. The study of the causes of victimology can be used to provide insight on why,
how, and to whom crime affects, inform the criminal justice system on intervention methods
that help mitigate the devastation associated with being a crime victim, and establish effective
prevention. To apply a comprehensive understanding of victimization and crime it is crucial to
recognize the role of the crime victims. Criminal justice professors tailor their approaches to be
considerate of crime victim experiences and more victim-centered by examining and identifying
potential risk factors for victimization. By doing this crime victims, the community, and law
enforcement can work together to achieve strategies for reducing victimization.
Victims also want their voices to be heard or at least feel as if they are. Youstin and
Siddique (2019) found that “unfortunately the consequences of victimization can be
devastating, which often leads to crime going unreported by victims, thereby hindering the
ability of the criminal justice system to provide meaningful responses to victims of crime.”
Empirical advancements and victimology studies need to avoid victim blaming which can
perpetuate troublesome stigmatizations of crime victims. Through respecting and recognizing
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the victim, victimology can be beneficial. Victim and offender influences and the interactions
between the two are equally key components of crime. To meet the objectives of completely
pursuing justice, understanding crime, and reducing victimization it is necessary to apply
victimology literature.
My Position
My position is that victimology and the study of it is useful and relevant to the field of
criminology because it assists in forming a complete understanding of crime, the victim, and the
offender. It is important that the role of the victim is not ignored. If you did you would not get
answers to the why, how, and to whom crime occurs. One goal of the criminal justice system is
to protect the rights and well-being of the citizens. Criminal justice professionals, legislators,
scholars, and researchers need to focus om mitigating the consequences of crime and
preventing victimization. Efforts need to be made for individuals in positions of authority to
respect and recognize the needs of victims. Scripture instructs us to use knowledge and learn
and thru this we can live a life closer to God while pleasing him. “Blessed is the one who finds
wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from
silver and her profit better than gold” (ESV Bible Study, 2008, Proverbs 3:13-14). It is important
that criminal justice professionals continue to adjust procedures, policies, and responses as well
as build upon their understanding of crime victims. When the criminal justice system is
considering how they will form their responses to victim and crime reports they need to review
victimology as well as corresponding scientific contributions that is in literature.
To be able to understand crime one must fully consider any influences from all who are
involved. “Victimology is not a way to victim blame or relieve offenders, but rather a scientific
method to answer questions about victims of crime and how to best accommodate their needs
Case for Victimology 3
and rights” (Daigle & Muftic, 2019). To understand crime due to the connections between
offending behavior and victimization, you need to realize that the characteristics and
perspectives of a victim play a pivotal role. Victims of crime and law enforcement most often are
required to interact with one another. Law enforcement need to be ready to provide the victim
with assistance and necessary guidance to assist the victims in navigating a traumatizing and
stressful process. By understanding victimology and applying science-based interventions one
can begin to prevent victimization and reach justice. “But let justice roll down like waters, and
righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (ESV Bible Study, 2008, Amos 5:24).
Strengths and Weaknesses
According to Daigle and Muftic (2019) “many early studies of crime victims centered on
investigating the influence that victims had in their own victimization, which occasionally
perpetuated victim blaming perspectives that can be problematic for the criminal justice
response.” Victim facilitation should be examined as well because it can provide further
information into what is crucial to the behaviors and characteristics of victims and what makes
them more vulnerable and susceptible to crime. According to Petherick et al. (2021) “it is
important to consider that victim precipitation or facilitation is not always based in fact and can
include the offenders’ perceptions of the victim and the reactivity of the situation.” The
community and law enforcement can be effective on safety precautions and with crime
prevention methods by simply understanding victim precipitation. “Lifestyles and routine
activities can make some individuals more attractive to motivated offenders finding that illicit
drug and alcohol use, homelessness, and being involved in sex work are factors associated with
higher rates of victimization” (Chopin et al., 2022). One can help inform prevention and
intervention strategies that target vulnerable populations and decrease their exposure to crime
Case for Victimology 4
by acknowledging that lifestyle patterns are relevant to crime activity. According to Posick et al.
(2018) “researchers identify that many crime prevention strategies are based in addressing and
understanding the antisocial behavior of offenders, their motivations, and the social, biological,
and psychological influences that make engagement in crime more likely.” Daigle and Muftic
(2019) states that “it is understood by scholars that there is often an overlapping relationship
between both parties, and the role of the offender and the victim are equally relevant to
criminal occurrences.” And it is this relationship which proposes that offenders and victims have
homogenous behaviors and characteristics which contribute to the crime inception. Petherick et
al. (2021) states that “there is a need for greater inclusion of victimological considerations in
developing risk assessment and management strategies as well as understanding the chain of
events leading to crime victimization.”
Arguments and Support
Sarkin (2009) states that “researchers suggest that while victimology has evolved into more fully
emphasizing the rights and needs of victims, it is at times limited in its inclusion of who falls
under the ‘victim’ category and can be disconnected in its scientific and humanitarian
approaches.” Those who have been judgmental have argued that the study of victimology has
foundations that focus on victim blaming which places responsibility on the victims instead of
the offenders. Daigle and Muftic (2019) found that “the first studies and investigations of
victims did not identify victims as being innocent parties in their victimization, and portrayed
crime as precipitated, provoked, or facilitated events.” The goal of victimology studies is to
examine interactions with offenders as well as factors that are associated with victimization
vulnerability and its likelihood based on victim behavior or characteristics. By doing so criminal
justice organizations can be guided in their prevention efforts and victim assistance approaches.
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According to Youstin and Siddique (2019) “unfortunately researchers find that many victims
underreport their experienced crimes to police for various reasons, and do not always utilize the
available victim assistance services.” Holder and Robinson (2021) stated that “it is found that
many victims of violent crimes such as intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual abuse, child
abuse, trafficking, and homicide have difficulties claiming justice for their victimization and are
not often perceived as significant agents within formal justice processes.” Ignoring the relevance
of the victim’s role regarding the dynamic of a crime is irresponsible for the criminal justice
system. According to Petherick et al. (2021) “offender apprehension and conviction is a difficult
process and cannot be fully understood or pursued without considering the victims behavior
and interactions with the perpetrator.”
Recommendations
It is critical that criminal justice professionals are well educated in current victimology
literature. Criminal justice professionals also need to keep the public updated on scientific
studies and the knowledge derived from these studies. This way the public can be educated on
the necessary safety precautions which should include means of reducing the risk of being a
victim. To reduce the stigmatization of victims, victimization awareness is also necessary. A fully
culpable offender or a perfectly innocent victim in criminal cases are not always realistic. Daigle
and Muftic (2019) found that “in many circumstances, offenders may have been previously
victimized which could have influenced their criminal behavior.” Hence, when examining
valuable contributions to understanding behavior, victimology is a top contender. According to
Petherick et al. (2021) “it is recommended that risk assessments and management strategies be
developed with the consideration of the victim offender relationship when developing plans to
maintain victim safety and control for future risk.” Youstin and Siddique (2019) also found that
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“researchers have acknowledged that law enforcement can sometimes be limited in their ability
to identify and assist victims based on the hesitancy of victims to report their own
victimization.” Because of this it is necessary that leaders make sure that personnel are
receiving training on interviewing processes that promote positive victim experiences as well as
training on victim interaction. To better meet the needs of victims through individualized
support it is encouraged that specialized victim service personnel be employed. According to
Youstin and Siddique (2019) “it will also be beneficial for police to ensure victims are connected
to the needed community resources and victim assistance programs available to them.” Victims
can experience an array of emotions ranging from emotional, physical, psychological, and social
devastations. By enhancing the services in these areas one can count on improvement in
mitigation of victimization as well as victim recovery. “The victim offender overlap can be
addressed through enhanced rehabilitative services for both victims and offenders that focus on
recovery and reducing recidivism and victimization.
Conclusion
Victimology exhibits a clearer image for the criminal justice system regarding which
factors influence a criminal event. It also is a valuable contribution to the field of criminology. To
comprehensively understand crime, one must identify victimology as a scientific contribution
and not just a simple hypothesis. The Bible instructs us to gain knowledge through an open
mind and heart that will assist us in considering alternative viewpoints. “Let the wise hear and
increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance” (ESV Bible Study, 2008,
Proverbs 1:5). According to Daigle and Muftic (2019) “although research has made substantial
contributions on studying offenders and their motivations, victims and their experiences have
not been equally emphasized in research.” Holder and Robinson (2021) found that “interest in
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victims has been steadily increasing and is considered influential components in criminal justice
processes and policy debates.” With this interest comes empirical advances in literature. This
can result in the goal of mitigating corresponding consequences and reducing victimization
through informed policy and procedures. Victimology can be beneficial by shining a light on the
importance of victim rights and the necessary changes which are required to provide victims
with accommodating their needs.
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References
Chopin, J., Beauregard, E., & Arseneault, C. (2022). Requiem for a dream: A lifestyle and routine
activities Victimological analysis to explore the sexual victimization of illicit drug users.
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 31(9), 1241-
1261. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2022.2089866
Daigle, L. E., & Muftic, L. R. (2019). Victimology: A comprehensive approach (2nd ed.). SAGE
Publications.
ESV Study Bible. (2008). Crossway Books.
Holder, R., & Robinson, A. L. (2021). Claiming justice: Victims of crime and their perspectives of
justice. International Review of Victimology, 27(2), 129-
137. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3747428
Petherick, W., Kannan, A., & Brooks, N. (2021). Victim precipitation: An outdated construct or an
important forensic consideration? Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and
Practice, 21(3), 214-229. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2020.1850087
Posick, C., Lasko, E., & Tremblay, R. E. (2018). On the need for a biopsychosocial Victimology:
A foundational model for focusing violence prevention on women and children. Victims
& Offenders, 13(7), 938-954. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2018.1506852
Sarkin, J. (2019). Why victimology should focus on all victims, including all missing and
disappeared persons. International Review of Victimology, 25(2), 249-
270. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269758018817843
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Youstin, T. J., & Siddique, J. A. (2019). Psychological distress, formal help-seeking behavior, and
the role of victim services among violent crime victims. Victims & Offenders, 14(1),
52-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2018.1547235
