COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE CODE: CSS 207
COURSE TITLE: VICTIMOLOGY
Week 1: Introduction to Victimology
i. Definition of Victimology
ii. Historical development of Victimology
iii. Theoretical foundations
iv. Importance and scope of Victimology
Week 2: Theories of Victimization
i. Classical theories
ii. Positivist theories
iii. Critical theories
iv. Integrated theories
Week 3: Understanding Victims
i. Psychological impact of victimization
ii. Social and economic consequences
iii. Cultural influences on victimization
iv. Vulnerability and resilience
Week 4: Types of Victimizations
i. Property crimes
ii. Violent crimes
iii. White-collar crimes
iv. Hate crimes
Week 5: Victim-Offender Relationship
i. Intimate partner violence
ii. Stalking
iii. Workplace victimization
iv. Cyber victimization
Week 6: Victim Blaming and Shaming
i. Social attitudes toward victims
ii. Media representation of victims
iii. Cultural aspects of victim blaming
iv. Impact on reporting and seeking help
Week 7: Victim Compensation and Restitution
i. Legal remedies for victims
ii. Victim compensation programs
iii. Restitution orders
iv. Critiques and challenges
Week 8: Support Services for Victims
i. Victim advocacy
ii. Crisis intervention
iii. Counseling and therapy
iv. Community resources
Week 9: International Perspectives on Victimology
i. Comparative victimology
ii. Global trends in victimization
iii. Human rights and victims
iv. International organizations addressing victim issues
Week 10: Issues in Victimology
i. Restorative justice
ii. Cybercrime and victims
iii. Terrorism and victimization
iv. Future directions in Victimology research
Recommended Texts:
1. Adenuga, A. O. and Oyekanmi, A. A. (2023) Empirical Investigation of Police Harassment of
Private University Students in Ogun State, Nigeria. Wukari International Studies Journal,
Vol. 7(3) Pp. 365-384.
2. Adenuga, A. O., Oderinde, O. D. and Lawal, K. K. (2020) Organised Crimes in Nigerian
Border Communities: A Sociological X-Ray of Idi-Iroko, Ogun State. Hallmark Journal of
Management and Social Sciences, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Hallmark
University, Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State, Nigeria. Vol. 2(1). Pp 313-326.
3. Henne, Kathryn E.; Shah, Rita (2020). Routledge handbook of public criminologies. New
York.
4. Richard Aborisade (2016) Crime and Delinquency: A Sociological Introduction. Ibadan
University Press, Nigeria.
5. Siegel, Larry J. (2015). Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies (12 ed.). Cengage
Learning
6. Kramer, Michalowski, J. Chambliss, Ronald C., Raymond, William (2013). Criminology and
Criminal Justice; Epilogue: Toward a public criminology of state crime. Taylor and Francis
WEEK ONE
DEFINITION OF VICTIMOLOGY
Victimology is the study of victims of crime, their experiences, and the social and psychological
impact of victimization. The term encompasses various aspects related to crime victims,
including their rights, treatment by the criminal justice system, and the broader social context in
which victimization occurs. Victimology is the study of victimization, including the
psychological effects on victims, the relationship between victims and offenders, the interactions
between victims and the criminal justice system i. e. the police and courts, and corrections
officials and the connections between victims and other social groups and institutions, such as
the media, businesses, and social movements.
According to Mendelsohn (1976), victimology is the scientific study of victimization, including
the relationships between victims and offenders, the interactions between victims and the
criminal justice system, and the connections between victims and other social institutions. Von
Hentig (1948) further defined victimology as the study of the totality of relationships between
the individual and his/her victimizers, including the ways in which he/she behaves as a factor in
this total situation.
Groenhuijsen (2006) futher conceptualsed victimology as the study of victims, their experiences,
needs, and rights, when they interact with the criminal justice system and the community. It
encompasses the social and legal responses to victims and their impact on society. Karmen
(2013), refers to victimology as the scientific study of victimization, including the relationships
between victims and offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system,
and the connections between victims and other social institutions.
In criminology, victim of a crime is an recognized person who has been harmed individually and
directly by the perpetrator, rather than by society as a whole.
