What is the focus of victimology?

Victimology is primarily concerned with the study of victims, including the psychological impacts and social consequences of victimization. This field explores how individuals react to being victims of crime, the emotional and mental health effects of these experiences, and the broader implications on society. Understanding victimology allows for a better grasp of the challenges victims face and can inform policies and practices aimed at supporting them.

By focusing on the experiences, needs, and rights of victims, this discipline informs the development of criminal justice responses that are more sensitive to victim needs, enhancing the overall system's ability to serve and protect victims effectively. Other areas, such as criminal behavior patterns, police response, or investigative techniques, while important in their own domains, do not center specifically on the experiences of victims in the same way that victimology does.