INTRODUCTION TO
VICTIMOLOGY AND
THE DEVELOPMENT
OF LAWS
REPORTED BY: MARY APRIL C. AVILA
DEFINITION
VICTIM - Means person who, individually or collectively, have suffered harm,
including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or
substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through acts or
omissions that are in violation of criminal laws.
VICTIMOLOGY - is the study of the victims of crime and the psychological
effects on them of their experience.
- It is a branch of criminology that scientifically studies the relationship
between an injured party and the perpetrator by examining of invesgating
the cause and nature of the offense.
ORIGIN OF
VICTIMOLOGY
The term victimology comes from the
Latin word “victima” (meaning
sacrifice) and the Greek word “logos”
(meaning study or science).
ORIGIN OF VICTIMOLOGY
Victimology emerged as a
distinct field in the 1940s–
1950s, pioneered by
scholars such as Benjamin
Mendelsohn (known as the
“Father of Victimology”) and
Hans von Hentig, who
were among the first to
study the role of victims in
crime.
CO-FOUNDER OF VICTIMOLOGY
Hans von Hentig
A German criminologist who studied the
interrelationship between victims and
criminals.
Authored “The Criminal and His Victim”
(1948), which analyzed how victim
characteristics (such as age, gender,
mental state, or lifestyle) could make
individuals more vulnerable to crime.
His ideas highlighted that victimization is
often influenced by social and psychological
factors.
FATHER OF VICTIMOLOGY
Benjamin Mendelsohn
He was a Romanian lawyer and criminologist who first
coined the term “victimology” in the 1940s.
Mendelsohn studied the relationship between offenders
and victims and developed a Victim Typology, which
categorized victims based on the degree of responsibility
in a crime (from “completely innocent victim” to “most
guilty victim”).
His work shifted attention from focusing solely on the
offender to also considering the role, experiences, and
rights of victims, which laid the foundation for modern
victimology.
ORIGIN OF VICTIMOLOGY
Initially, the focus was on the
relationship between victims and
offenders, particularly how victims
might contribute to their own
victimization. Over time, the field
expanded to include the
psychological impact of crime,
victim rights, and the development
of victim support systems.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAWS
1. Ancient/Primitive Laws (Retributive Justice)
•Code of Hammurabi (Babylon, c. 1750 BC) – “An eye for an eye”
(lex talionis). The focus was on revenge or direct restitution to the
victim.
•Mosaic Law (Biblical/Hebrew Law) – Similar principles: restitution
for theft, direct compensation to the victim.
•Roman Law – Victim was central; offenders had to pay
damages (e.g., “Delict” laws).
THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAWS
2. Middle Ages (Feudal & Church Influence)
- Crimes slowly shifted from being seen as personal
wrongs to offenses against the king or the state.
- Trial by ordeal and blood feuds were common.
- Victims lost their central role; justice became state-
centered, and punishment focused on the offender.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAWS
3. Early Modern Era (16th–18th Century)
- Rise of nation-states → the state took control of
prosecution.
- Victim’s role diminished further — the state vs. the
offender became the model.
- Cesare Beccaria (1764) – called for fair punishment,
but still offender-focused.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAWS
4. 19th Century: Classical & Positivist Criminology
Thinkers like Cesare Lombroso (biological
determinism) focused entirely on the offender, not
the victim.
Victimization was ignored in criminal justice.
Laws punished criminals but gave little to no
compensation or recognition to victims.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAWS
5. 20th Century: Rise of Victimology
1940s–50s – Benjamin Mendelsohn (Father of Victimology) and
Hans von Hentig reintroduced the victim’s role.
1960s–70s – Growth of victim rights movements (feminist
movements for domestic violence, rape crisis centers).
1965 – UK created the first state compensation program for crime
victims.
1982 – U.S. Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) established victim
compensation funds.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAWS
6. Modern Era: Victim-Centered Justice (Late 20th – 21st Century)
1985 – UN adopted the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for
Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power → Global recognition of victim
rights.
Restorative Justice – Laws in many countries promote mediation,
restitution, and healing (not just punishment).
Victim Protection Laws – e.g., witness protection, domestic violence
acts, child protection laws, and anti-human trafficking laws.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAWS
Philippines:
RA 8505 (1998) – Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act
RA 9262 (2004) – Anti-Violence Against Women and Their
Children Act
RA 9344 (2006) – Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (also
protects child victims)
RA 9995 (2009) – Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act
RA 10364 (2013) – Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act
RA 11648 (2022) – Amends age of sexual consent to better
protect children
TYPOLOGY OF VICTIMS
There are five (5) types of typologies of victim
1. Primary Victimization – the direct experience of harm or
injury resulting from a crime or other harmful act.
TYPOLOGY OF VICTIMS
2. Second Victimization – the negative experiences a victim
of a crime or traumatic event faces after the initial incident,
often due to the reactions of individuals, institutions, or
systems meant to provide support or justice
TYPOLOGY OF VICTIMS
3. Tertiary Victimization – described by
the public as the victim.
TYPOLOGY OF VICTIMS
4. Mutual Victimization - this is when the criminal becomes the
victim.
TYPOLOGY OF VICTIMS
5. No Victimization – happens when there is no
real victim in the situation
13 categories of victims as identified in
Benjamin Mendelsohn’s Victim Typology
1.Completely Innocent Victim – Has no responsibility for
the crime.
2.Victim with Minor Guilt / Victim of Ignorance –
Victimized due to lack of knowledge or awareness.
3.Victim as Guilty as the Offender (Voluntary Victim) –
Willingly participates in the crime.
13 categories of victims
4. Victim More Guilty than the Offender – The victim
provokes or instigates the crime.
5. Most Guilty Victim – The offender is actually the victim.
6. Imaginary Victim – Someone who pretends to be a victim.
7. Latent Victim – Persons with a tendency or vulnerability
that makes them prone to victimization.
13 categories of victims
8. False Victim – Someone who fabricates victimization to gain
sympathy or advantage.
9. Simulated Victim – A person who exaggerates or dramatizes their
victimization.
10. Provocative Victim – The victim’s actions or behavior incite the
crime.
13 categories of victims
11. Biologically Weak Victim – Children, elderly, or disabled
persons who are vulnerable due to physical limitations.
12. Socially Weak Victim – Individuals marginalized in society.
13. Self-Victimizing Victim – People who harm themselves or
engage in crimes where they are both offender and victim.
REFERENCE
Karmen, A. (2006b, November 2). Victimology | Crime, Trauma & Prevention . Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/victimology
OHCHR. (n.d.-b). Declaration of basic principles of justice for victims of crime and abuse of power.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/declaration-basic-principles-justice-victims-crime-and-
abuse
https://www.crcvc.ca/docs/victimization.pdf
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, October 26). Victim study. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victim_study
Code of Hammurabi: Laws & Facts | HISTORY. (2009, November 9). HISTORY.
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-middle-east/hammurabi
Wikipedia contributors. (2023o, October 21). List of ancient legal codes. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ancient_legal_codes
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/the-philippine-legal-codes/
ipl.org. (2021, February 19). Hammurabis Code vs Modern Law.
https://www.ipl.org/essay/Hammurabis-Code-Vs-Modern-Law-FJJLRF6UYT
THANK YOU!
