What is Victimology?
Victimology is the study of victims and survivors of crime. Criminology researcher, Dr. Jo-Anne Wemmers, notes that criminology studies crime, criminal behaviour and its causes, whereas victimology examines the experience of those who are affected by crime.
In her research, Dr. Joanne Wemmers outlines that the goal of victimology is often crime prevention, but it also involves understanding and supporting victims and survivors. According to Benjamin Mendelsohn, a key contributor to the field, victimological research helps us to better understand the victim’s role in crime, offer support to their needs and prevent other from experiencing victimization in the future.
The field of victimology has also influenced the way victims are categorized. For example, victims can be understood as:
Primary victims: those directly impacted by the crime,
Secondary victims: those who witnessed the crime or who also experience impacts of a crime, for example family members of the victim, and
Tertiary victims: people or community members impacted by a crime, sometimes without a direct relationship to the primary victim. For example, whole communities of people who become fearful living in a city with high crime rates.
Importantly, secondary and tertiary victims may not be any less impacted than the primary victim. These and other victim categorizations help us to better understand how society views victims as well as criminal culpability which can impact the level of support and compensation victims receive.
The Impact of Re-Victimization
Unfortunately, victims and survivors often face re-victimization by the very system they turn to for support during these incredibly vulnerable moments. For example, they may encounter harmful or dismissive responses from well-meaning family, friends, and services providers when reporting crimes, seeking medical care, or accessing court or other professional services.
This re-victimization can exacerbate symptoms and increase feelings of pain, suffering and isolation. Importantly, a victim or survivors negative experience with professionals can not only increase symptoms but also decreases the likelihood of reporting.
Victims and Survivors of Crime
As Dr. Hill explains, in the event that you or your loved one are faced with a crime, you will likely base decisions on previous experiences, how distressed you feel and your awareness about supportive options in your community.
Though victims tend to move through the process of victimization and recovery similarly, each crime victim is different and may respond to victimization differently. Having access to a victim-centered counsellor can support your unique journey towards rebuilding your life, feeling more stable and re-defining what it means to live as a survivor of crime.
What to Expect from a Victim-Centered Counselling Approach
With a dedicated academic focus on Victimology, years of research, and my own personal experience, this is deeply meaningful work that I intentionally center my practice on. I believe that victims and survivors deserve prompt services that are effective and support them with healthy coping to return to their ideal way of living. In my approach to working with victims and survivors of crime, I strive to:
Provide a Non-judgemental Space for Exploration: Victimization is never your fault. Despite good intentions, people may ask questions that unintentionally suggest your actions contributed to your victimization, which can be incredibly painful. In my office, you can be assured, this narrative does not exist.
Support You in Managing Symptoms: Common reactions to victimization can include a range of symptoms that can impact:
Mood and Emotions: grief, fear, low self-esteem, shame, anger, etc.
Your Social World: you may avoid people or places you usually frequented, or you might feel alienated.
Thinking and Memory: intrusive memories, nightmares, flashback, hypervigilance, dissociation, etc.
Your Physical Body: headaches, stomach problems, sleep problems, nausea, hot or cold bodily sensations, etc.
These symptoms can sometimes be your body’s natural and very smart response to protect you. While they are designed to keep you safe, it can feel overwhelming and disruptive. Together, we can find healthy ways to cope with these symptoms.
Offer a Supportive Presence: Healing from trauma can make you feel incredibly alone. My goal is to be a steady, empathetic presence in your journey. I'm here to listen, stay curious, and support you through your experience.
Encourage Involvement, When You’re Ready: Many survivors find healing in advocacy, support groups, charity events, or activities in memory of their loved ones or to honour their own experience. If this is something you're interested in, we can explore it together when the time feels right for you.
Support You in Taking the Next Step: Making that first step to begin your healing journey is easier than you might think. It could be sharing your story with a close friend or family member, reaching out to victim services, or even courageously making a police report. Whatever you decide, I’m here to walk with you as you regain control over your life.
Booking a Victim-Centered Counselling Session at Shanna Hickey Counselling
Whether you live in Vancouver or Burnaby and prefer an in-person session or like to meet online from the comfort of your own home, booking at Shanna Hickey Counselling can be that simple next step you take for your healing journey.
Both online and in-person counselling options provide you with the flexibility to book the session that is right for you, while accessing victim-centered, empowering counselling that will support you to manage your symptoms better and feel more like yourself.