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Victimology

Victimology is the research into victims and victimization. The NSCR investigates which risk factors are associated with victimization. How can victimization be prevented and how can victims be assisted and supported?

Becoming a victim of a crime can be a traumatic experience. Victimization varies from theft of your bicycle so that you have to buy a new bicycle, theft of your data of which it is unclear what damage you will experience, or becoming a victim of stalking, sexual abuse or international crimes, of which the consequences can be very far-reaching and ‘life-long’.

Risk factors and protective factors for victimization

Some people are more likely to become a victim than others. How is this possible? Within this program we focus first of all on the prevention and etiology of victimization, by mapping risk factors and protective factors for victimization. We also map out the possible long-term consequences over the life-course and even over generations. Related to this we conduct research into prevention: what can be done with this knowledge to prevent (repeated) victimization?

Recovery and victims’ rights

We also focus on interventions and recovery. We investigate what works to reduce the chance of long-term consequences or adverse consequences of victimization. In addition, our research pays explicit attention to traditional and innovative forms of recovery. We investigate different forms of restitution and victims’ rights, we focus on the importance of recognition and we focus on different forms of compensation.

Examining victimization from different disciplines

Within this research program we want to renew national and international research into victimization in the coming years. We do this by examining victimization and the consequences for society from different perspectives and disciplines, and by applying innovative methods. We work together with, among others, the Victim Support Fund (Fonds Slachtofferhulp) and Victim Support Netherlands (Slachtofferhulp Nederland), and with various institutions abroad such as Victim Support Europe and the Global Survivors Fund.

Experts on this theme

Prof. Antony Pemberton

Senior Researcher

Dr Mijke de Waardt

Researcher

Freya Augusteijn MSc

PhD Candidate

Rachel Dijkstra LLM

PhD Student

Kim Baudewijns MSc

Guest Researcher

Dr Nieke Elbers

Researcher

Iris Becx MSc

PhD Candidate

Prof. Catrien Bijleveld LL.M.

Senior Researcher

Marijke Spoelstra MSc

Junior Researcher

Marleen Kragting MSc

PhD Candidate

Marleen Gorissen MSc

PhD Candidate

Bodine Gonggrijp MSc

PhD Candidate

Valérie Pijlman MSc

PhD Candidate

Anne Coomans MSc

PhD Candidate

Dr Barbora Holá LLM

Senior Researcher

Dr Joris Beijers

Researcher

Rinke de Jong

Guest Researcher

Fikret Demircivi

Junior Researcher

Roza Qaidi MA

Junior Researcher

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