NCJ Number
86196
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Victimology must create a system of investigative instruments that permits sociological, economic, and cultural interpretations of features of individuals, social categories, and institutions, which in turn show existing or potential victimization, victimization etiology, and victimization prevention measures.
Abstract
Victimology is concerned not only with victims' features but with the anticipation of injuries which may be suffered by specific social categories, whole societies, or humanity as a result of a perpetrator's voluntary or involuntary action. Penal victimology focuses on injuries and damages that result from criminal activity. The tasks of victimology are similar to those of any science: to diagnose the situation, interpret the situation, prevent undesired situations, and suggest ways for creating desired situations. The results of victimological studies can be used in various criminal justice sciences. In criminology, victimological studies provide data on the etiology of an offense committed against particular persons and societal values. In criminalistics, victimological studies can be used directly in the detection of an offense. Victimological data can help in the development of crime prevention policy, and in penal law and penal proceedings, such data assist in determining the victim's role in the offense. In penitentiary law, victimological data can assist in adapting penalties to the victim's personality and role in the offense. In relation to other disciplines and social policy, victimology can assist in educating persons about how to avoid victimization, develop policy that will serve victims' interests, and identify means for meeting various victim needs.