NCJ Number
94953
Date Published
1982
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The contribution of victimology to criminological theory, crime policy, and the role of criminology in daily life is examined.
Abstract
There are two main doctrines of criminology: the medical model, which relies on case history, prognosis, and treatment; and the criminological perspective, which is based on the study of moral, social, and juridic norms. While the medical model focuses on the penitentiary milieu to propose reforms, the latter model emphasizes the roles of the court, the reform, and the sentence. A crime policy based on the victimological perspective will be related to both of these models. Writings of Rene Girard, who emphasizes the need for vengeance to prevent future horrors, are summarized. Girard contends that there is a positive side to vengeance, to sacrifice, and to judicial penalty. Destroying their mythical aura would unleash private vengeance by a rejection of the authority of public vengeance. Philosophical thinking about the role and place of the victim should be continued, and investigations should be extended into law, religion, and comparative sociology. Crime policy measures taken with regard to victims should be evaluated at the same time as the measures themselves are applied. Finally, victimology should be taught not only in university criminology programs, but also in programs for police officers and justice agents. A 22-item bibliography is included.