Reflect critically on the strengths and weaknesses of this module’s readings in regards to victimology and patterns of victimization. Include your view on the ideas put forth in the lecture materials.

One thing that really surprised me in Chapter 7 by Barak, Leighton, and Cotton (2018) was learning that victimization does not happen randomly. It often affects certain groups more than others, especially people who already face poverty and discrimination. I used to think anyone could be a victim by chance, but the chapter showed that social and economic factors play a big role in who is most at risk (Barak et al., 2018).

Another part I found challenging was the idea of “victim precipitation.” This means that sometimes a person’s actions or choices might unintentionally play a part in their becoming a victim. The authors are clear that this does not mean blaming victims, but it was still hard to think about. Fattah (2019) also explains that this theory can be misused to support stereotypes, so it is important to be careful when using it to study crimes. I learned that victimology is not just about individual crimes. It also looks at larger patterns, how society treats victims, and how culture and power affect who is seen as a victim.

I realized that victimology is more than just looking at one crime from these books. It also examines bigger trends and the way society responds to victims. It also shows how culture and power frequently influence how someone is perceived as a victim (Walklate, 2018). Moving forward, I want to pay closer attention to how victims are shown in the media or in the justice system because those stories are often not the full truth.

One question I still have is how what we learn in victimology can be used to create real change, like helping victims and stopping crimes, without just adding more punishment or police.

Barak, G., Leighton, P., & Cotton, A. (2018). Class, race, gender, and crime: The social realities of justice in America(5th ed.). Routledge.

Fattah, E. A. (2019). The evolution of a young, promising discipline: Sixty years of victimology, a retrospective and prospective look. Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice, 2(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/2516606918821108

Walklate, S. (2018). Victimology: The victim and the criminal justice process (2nd ed.). Routledge.