Victimization

Bhoomika Gupta
M.A. in Applied Psychology
 Definitions
• Victimology: Research that studies the
process, rates, incidence, and prevalence of
victimisation is called victimology.

• Crime Victims: One who suffers because of

a crime.

• Victimization: It is the process of being

victimised or becoming a crime victim.
 Role of Forensic Psychologist
• Assessing and treating multiple crime victims
• Acting as consultants, instructors, expert
witnesses, evaluators, therapists and service
providers to victim service organizations.
• Providing expert testimony on the psychological
effects of violent victimization.
• Assessment of victim’s crime related experiences
and responses.
• Working beyond the interests of criminal justice
systems, which is only prosecuting offenders.
 Victimization Damage
• Victimization costs include damaged property, pain and
suffering, and the involvement of police and other
agencies of the justice system

• Economic Loss:
– Problems of Crime Victims
• Violent crime by juveniles costs $158 billion per year
• Total economic costs of crime amounts to $450 billion
annually
• The costs of crime for each U.S. citizen is $1,800 annually
• Victims suffer long term losses in earnings and occupational
attainment
• Research suggests crime victims during adolescence earn
about $82,000 less than nonvictims
• System Abuse
– Callous handling of victims by police
– Holding of personal property for evidence
– Rape victims report feeling “re-raped”
– Economic hardships due to trials

• Long Term Stress

– Posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD)
– Lowering of self-esteem
– Increased risk of suicide
– Eating disorders
– Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
– Victimization lead to some people feeling timid and
cautious
– Fear of a repeat attack
– Suffer psychological stress for longer periods of time
• Antisocial Behavior
– Victims are more likely to commit crimes
themselves
– Being abused increases the odds of one being
arrested (cycle of violence)
– Both males and females are affected by the cycle of
violence
 Victimization Theories
• Repeat Victimization: Individuals who have been a crime
victim have a significantly higher chance of future
victimization.
• Victim Precipitation Theory: Some people may actually
initiate the confrontation that leads to their injury or
death.
• Lifestyle Theory: Certain lifestyles increase exposure to
criminal offenders
• Routine Activity Theory: Availability of suitable targets,
Absence of capable guardians, Presence of motivated
offenders
 Caring for the victims
 Community Organization: Neighborhood watch
programs, Community newsletters, Home security
surveys, Lighting projects
 Crisis intervention: Networks of social service agencies
to provide emergency and long term assistance
 Victim-offender reconciliation programs: use of
mediators for face-to-face encounters between victims
and perpetrators
 Victim impact statements: allows victims the
opportunity to describe their ordeal
 Public education: to familiarize the general public with
primary prevention programs