Victimology

Today the word 'Victim is used in many different ways. In this book the authors have attempted to provide information on a wide array of crimes within their individual contexts. By presenting the material, in this manner, the authors hope to demonstrate to the reader the range of victimization experiences that crime victims are forced to deal with. The authors believe that this methodology offers a richer and more realistic approach to understanding the process of victimization and the coping mechanisms that victims employ to deal with their particular experiences. Karmen defined victimology as: The scientific study of victimization, including the relationships between the victims and the offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system - that is the police, the courts, and corrections officials - and the connection between victims and other societal groups and institutions, such as the media, business, and social movements. (Karmen, 1990) The uniqueness of this text is the inclusion of issues of victimization not commonly found in existing texts, but worthy of incorporation.- Lee Ross, University of Wisconsin-Parkside