NCJ Number
208977
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 11 Issue: 2/3 Dated: 2004 Pages: 295-311
Date Published
2004
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the social construction of the victim and analyzes conditions for ascription of the victim role.
Abstract
Even though it seems obvious that an individual who has been robbed or beaten up or suffered from other forms of crime are victims, not all forms of norm violations are unanimously considered as victimization nor are all harmed persons equally treated as victims. According to previous research, in order to acquire the status of victim, it seems important that an individual identify themselves as a victim and then present themselves in a way that complies with the social definition of victimization. This article examines the social construction of the victim and analyzes conditions for attribution of the victim role. In addition, in victimological research, it is important to find neutral criteria for the definition of victimization. A scientific construction could serve as a neutral point of reference for the analysis of the social processes that facilitate or hamper the social recognition of victimizations and the ascription of victim status. Five minimum criteria are presented as necessary in fulfilling the status of victim: (1) identifiable single event; (2) negative evaluation; (3) uncontrollable event; (4) attribution to a personal or social offender; and (5) violation of a socially shared norm. Also, factors that lead to the recognition of victimization and to an ascription of victim status should be analyzed in different social contexts. Two important issues to be distinguished include: (1) problems of the sender in communicating his/her victimization and (2) problems of the receiver/recipient in dealing adequately with the victimization. References