What Is Victimology?
Written by:
East Carolina University
• Aug 7, 2025
What Is Victimology?
Crime impacts people in every part of the world and from all walks of life. Understanding victims, especially their needs and rights, is critical for providing them with support.. The term “victimology” was coined in the mid-20th century, and the field continues to evolve as researchers and others learn more about the relationships between victims and individuals who have committed crimes.
For those interested in victimology, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program can provide the education and skills required to thrive in related roles.
Victimology and Its Major Findings
Individuals who have been impacted by crimes may experience trauma and psychological stress. This can manifest in many ways. Victimology is the study of victimization, including victims’ relationships with offenders, the impact of crimes, and how victims interact with the criminal justice system. It ensures that victims have a voice in their legal proceedings and aims to create systemic changes, allowing for more victim support and intervention.
Victimology is a multi-faceted subject, and over the years, the field has revealed numerous findings that can improve understanding and support. These include the following:
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Intersectionality: Victims’ experiences can vary based on different factors, such as their location, income, gender, race, sexual orientation, identity, histories, and family circumstances.
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Psychology: Victims often experience numerous psychological and emotional symptoms after their experiences. The way these individuals feel and the way they choose to cope can drastically alter their healing, especially if they experience long-lasting trauma.
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Typologies: The ability to categorize victims is essential to learning more about how their experiences impact them, and it helps professionals working in the field recognize their circumstances and their needs.
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Advocacy and Victims’ Rights: Professionals working in victim advocacy continue to play key roles in empowering victims throughout the judicial process and creating laws designed to protect their rights.
Victimology and Trauma-Informed Methodologies
A paper published by the Cambridge Journal of Evidence-Based Policing in 2025 found that victim-centered, trauma-informed training improved investigation outcomes overall for specific cases in both the short and long term. In other words, victimology professionals can utilize trauma-informed training and practices to ensure that they are sensitive to the victims’ specific needs and backgrounds, which can improve both victim experiences and investigative outcomes.
Careers in Victimology
Those interested in improving the interventions and services provided to victims can pursue a few different careers in victimology.
Victim Advocates
Victim advocates, sometimes referred to as victim specialists or victim service coordinators, are common professionals in the field. They help victims navigate their unique challenges, including their legal stress, financial issues, and emotional and psychological trauma. They serve as allies, helping victims get the support and resources they need. Some of their roles and responsibilities include:
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Financial Assistance: Many jurisdictions have special funds in place to assist victims. Though the victim must apply for these funds, the victim advocate serves as a guide.
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Legal Aid: Victim advocates also help individuals understand documents or court appearances, and in some cases, advocates may even be able to speak on the victim’s behalf.
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Safety Planning: These professionals can help keep victims safe through services such as protective court orders, relocation, or law enforcement coordination.
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Support: Victim advocates listen to victims, helping them cope emotionally and psychologically. While this does not replace services from a mental health professional, it can help support victims’ mental health.
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Guidance: Victim advocates ensure victims know their rights and how their cases are moving through the justice system. When victims have questions, advocates have (or can seek) the answers.
Forensic Child Interview Specialists
Compassionate individuals who have a particular interest in advocating for children and who want to work in criminal justice may opt to become forensic child interview specialists, which also falls under the victimology umbrella. Some of their tasks and responsibilities include:
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Interviews: Forensic child interview specialists sit down with children or individuals who have knowledge of crimes against children to gain information. They specialize in interviewing children, but they can also meet with adult suspects or witnesses, as well.
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Communication: These professionals communicate with legal teams, law enforcement agencies, and victim advocates to ensure a strong case can be brought before a judge or jury and provide the necessary services to the victim.
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Victim Advocacy: Although forensic child interview specialists work alongside victim advocates, they do play some role in advocacy themselves. They conduct compassionate interviews that help children feel comfortable and safe in telling their stories, and they ensure that those children receive the care and resources they need from a victim advocate.
Criminal investigators also work closely with victims and are trained in trauma-informed practices. Other careers that can support and advocate for victims include paralegals, case managers, probation officers, social workers, and more.
Help Victims With a Criminal Justice Degree
Victimology professionals, whether as advocates, interviewers, or even researchers, provide victims of crimes with needed resources and support. Despite this, more needs to be done to support victims and help them participate in the criminal justice process.
The online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at East Carolina University® can prepare you for a career in victimology. Courses such as Research Methods in Criminal Justice, Introduction to Psychology, and Introduction to Victimology can provide the foundational knowledge required to thrive in these roles.
Discover the difference you can make in victims’ lives with a degree from ECU.
Recommended Readings
Research Methods in Criminal Justice
What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?
Why Is Criminal Justice Important?
Sources:
Crimrxiv, “Understanding Re-Victimization Through an Intersectional Lens”
Indeed, How to Become a Forensic Interviewer in 6 Steps
PsyForU, “Understanding Victimology: The Study of Victims and Their Rights ”
