Classifying Victims: a Proposed Multidimensional Victimological Typology

Abstract

Although recent years have witnessed a growing number of studies in victimology, relatively little attention has been paid to the development of classification systems in this field. This paper reviews the existing typologies and points at their primary limitation, namely, their unidimensionality. Hence, the field presently lacks a systematic conceptual framework. After suggesting a revised definition of victim, a multidimensional victimological typology is proposed comprising the following eleven dimensions: the source of victimization: legal framework: intentionality of the perpetrator: identification of the victim: victim vulnerability: the victim's perception of victimization: others' perception of victimization: type of victimization: the severity of victimization/harm: the victim-offender relationship: and the victim's contribution to the event. The various categories within these dimensions are discussed and suggestions are put forward for further developing and refining this conceptual framework.

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