Victim Psychology from the Forensic Science Perspective

Abstract

Victim is defined as a person who has been harmed, wronged about something. People experience victimization in many ways in daily life. Victimization is a concept that needs to be handled from a very broad perspective since it covers many factors such as its existence, effect, being individually or in group nature. For this reason, victimology, a sub-field of criminology, has an important place. Victimology is derived from the victima and logos and a science deals with victims of crime. In studies of Victimology, personality traits, behaviors, perception of crime, and attitudes towards criminals are among the risk factors that increase the probability of being a victim. The psychological effects experienced by the victim are considered to be the longest and most important and various changes occur in the behavior and emotions of the victim. It is known that the victims’ failure to report to the necessary authorities constitutes an obstacle in both determining and solving social problems. The victim has some rights after the action which are under the control of national and international laws. It is a well-known fact that, victims of crime are supported within the framework of humanitarian values. It is extremely important to act according to the multi-disciplinary model in order to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the victim. It is important to increase the awareness of people by carrying out studies on the psychological problems of victims and to reduce the victimization in the world and in our country.

Keywords

• victimization
• victim
• victim psychology
• re-victimization
• forensic psychology