Golden Age Of Victimology Essay

Introduction

In this paper, I will be defining what victimology is, its history and how it developed over the years. In addition, I will briefly explain how out of criminology, sociology and psychology we were able to develop victimology.

For anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, rape, and homicide there are many organizations available to speak to people 24/7, who will be their medical advocates, assist in housing, and many other ways to assist those who are in need. Because of the rise in domestic violence and rape, the 1970’s brought about shelters and rape crisis centers to work with those who have been violated or abused.

I will explain how the Civil Rights Movement of 1968 brought about phenomenal changes throughout

the decades to prevent and protect individuals. This movement has evolved and will continue to evolve until we have equality and fairness, despite the color of our skin, race, religion, or gender.
Finally, the Government Crime Compensation will compensation victims that private insurers and restitution do not cover. I will address what this program does not cover as the final topic in this discussion.
Definition of Victimology
Victimology is the study of victims of crimes or victimization. In addition, it studies the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator; and the victim and the criminal justice systems (investigations, courts and corrections). These scientific studies examine the emotional, physical, and financial harm people suffer because of unlawful activities.
What is the history of victimology, and how has it developed?

The concept and study of victims has three distinct eras. The Golden Age of victimology began around 2000 B.C. where tribal law was the rules, regulations and collection of laws and there was no getting around it. Victims would seek revenge and assist in determining the type of punishment, which usually was compensation. Problems with tribal law was as families grew vendettas could lead to banishment of families or families were repeatedly victimized. It was an age of a form of discretionary justice that concluded that this method was not working (Turvey, 2009).

The next era was the Dark Ages of victimology, which began in the middle ages through the 1900’s, as a result of a more structured local government and the development formalized legal statutes, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. During this era the victims and the crimes against them were forgotten as the criminal justice system developed. Offenses were considered crimes against the state or the laws of the king instead of against the victim or the victim’s family. As the criminal justice system grew, victim’s involvement decreased to being nothing more than being a witness for law enforcement or the prosecution, and punishment and rights superseded victim rights, restoration and disregarded what was in the best interest of the victim (Turvey,

2009).
The Reemergence Era of the victim occurred in the 1950’s ad the 1960’s, although by 1937, Benjamin Mendelsohn introduced the science of the victim, then Hans Von Hentig during the 1940’s and 1950’s coined the term victimology. They are known as the fathers of victimology and worked together on the victim precipitation theory (aka victim blaming). Their research on victims and victimology led to many positive changes in victim laws later in the 20th century and highlighted important information that shaped the way victimology is viewed today. Unfortunately, early studies of victimology did not alleviate the victims suffering or address their needs. By the 1960’s, criminologists Marvin Wolfgang and Stephen Schafer continued the work of Mendelsohn and Von Hentig. It was during this time that people began to realize that victims’ rights and needs were not being tended to; and they participated very little in the criminal justice process. Also during this time, criminologist and sociologists realized that victims could be a source of information on crime and criminals, but also helped define the victim’s role in the crime, the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, and culpability (Turvey, 2009).
Explain how it is different from criminology, sociology, or psychology.
Victimology is the study of why, when and how certain people will become a crime victim. Research has identified 5 factors of lifestyle that contribute to the likelihood of victimization.
Criminology is a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of crime, its causes, responses by law enforcement, and methods of prevention. It also has many subtopics such as penology, biocriminology, feminist criminology, and criminalistics (study of crime detection).
Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior in a society, human relationships, and identifying types of behavioral patterns in particular individuals. It examines the underlying situational factors or circumstances that resulted in criminal behavior. This can be unemployment, inequities in education, or other personal stresses (Rao, 2007)
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior processes in individuals; and the social behavior or interactions between two or more people and family. These processes include, for example, attention, emotion, intelligence, and personality, but also the conscious and unconscious experiences (Nordqvist, 2015)
Victimology, unlike sociology, psychology or criminology, applies all the aspects of each of these sciences in its definition.
Who established the first safe houses for battered women? Where and when were these safe houses established?
In the 1970’s the movement for safe houses and shelter began as part of the state’s responsibility in protecting women and girls of domestic violence and abuse, as well as providing medical, psychological counseling, and low-cost legal aid. The first shelters were the Women’s Advocates of Minnesota in 1973 and the Transition House of Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1975 (UMN, n.d.). In Chiswick, England the first battered women’s shelter opened in 1970 (Opal’s House, n.d.).
Who established the first rape crisis centers? Where and when were these centers established?
Although rape has been one of the most unreported crimes in the United States, reforms in the 1970’s led by the women’s movement resulted in the first rape crisis center to be opened in 1972. The first crisis center was in San Francisco, CA called the Bay Area Women Against Rape; and in Washington, D.C. called the D.C. Rape Crisis Center. Both of these centers are still open today. A third crisis center, the Seattle Rape Relief formed in 1972, closed in 1999 due to financial reasons (Long, 1999).
How has the Civil Rights movement contributed to antidiscrimination efforts and the establishment of hate crime legislation and policy?
In 1968 the Civil Rights Act was passed that prohibits the use or threat of force, or interference or intimidation with any person related to their race, color, religion, or national origin in a federally protected activity, such as enrolling in public school or college, employment, juror, or employment. A second wave of civil right movements occurred in the 1970’s with women’s rights, concerns about secondary victimization that is psychological trauma by the hands of the criminal justice system (Krouse, 2010).
Because of that act, we were able to pass the Hate Crimes Statistical Act in 1990 to track and acquire data about crimes that manifest prejudice. The definition also included disabilities (Krouse, 2010).
Furthermore, other hate crime sentencing enhancements were passed, including Violence Against Woman, Church Arson Prevention Act, US Armed Forces and Hate Crime Prevention. Federal Grants for Hate Crime Prevention was passed in 2001. By 2005, the FBI released its 13th annual report on Federal Hate Crime Statistics. In 2009, the local law enforcement hate crimes prevention act and the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Preventions Act were passed, and so on. Because of the Civil Rights movement it evolved into Hate Crime policies and legislation, with years of enactments, provisions, and coalitions passed to punish those who commit a hate crime, and prevent crime from occurring. The movement also allowed the government and law enforcement to track and compile crime statistics for hate crimes since 1992, and of a person with a disability since 1994 (Krouse, 2010).
Which organizations might she contact that provide specific advocacy for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and homicide?
Organizations women can contact who are victims of domestic violence can call The National Domestic Violence Hotline, who have advocates available 24/7 to speak to anyone who is a victim of violence (National Domestic Violence, 2017).
Another organization in prevention or reducing domestic violence and sexual abuse is Safe Passage. They are located in DeKalb, Il and provided crisis intervention, assist in housing for victims and their children, medical advocacy, and community education.
A third organization that assists victims of sexual assault is RAINN, a national sexual assault hotline that provides confidential support, sexual assault forensic exams, referrals to long-term support, information on the laws in your state or community, and provide resources to enable the victims to heal and put them back on the road to recovery
What services are not provided by government crime compensation programs?
The government crime compensation will only pay if private insurance or offender restitution does not cover the loss. In addition, many of the compensation programs do not cover theft, damage and property loss and are not required to compensate victims in terrorism cases.
The claim will be denied if the Program finds the victim or claimant fails to meet either a behavioral or filing requirement. The Program must deny a claim if it was made solely on expenses not compensable from the Fund or made for expenses eligible for payment from collateral sources (CVC, n.d.)