Criminology in cooperation with victimology has been regarded as two important sciences which explain crime and its impact on society. Criminology centers on identifying crime, offenders, and offenses while victimology is concerned with the effects of crime and the rights of victims. Both subjects and their relevance, as well as the educational programs for those who want to build a career in these fields will be discussed in this blog post.

What is Criminology?

Criminology Generally refers to an analytical study of crime, offenders, and the treatment of those offenders by the criminal justice system. They include sociology, psychology, law, and anthropology among other fields of study. After calling it as a science that deals with crime and the punishment, it is apparent that the practice of criminology aims at establishing why criminal activities occur and how persons involved in the crime processing system make decisions on conducting themselves.

Main Fields of Research in the Field of Criminology

Causes of Crime: Sociologists study the causes of crime while psychologists study the background of the persons involved in crime such as socioeconomic status, family, mental health and peers. Therefore with that knowledge society can begin to look for ways of countering these causes of the disease.

Types of Crime: Criminology also examines various classifications of crime; violent crime, property crime, business psyche crime, and computer crime. Both of them are different from one another and also the procedures for investigation and prevention differ for each.

Criminal Justice System: This field explores how police agencies, courts, and prison functions. Criminologists look at crime patterns, and crime control policies, procedures, and the efficiency of the criminal justice system.

What is Victimology?

Victimology thus refers to the study of victims together with the effects of crime to the victims. It involves knowledge about how victims respond, psychologically, emotionally, and socially to crimes. Importance of Victimology then developed as an individual field during the twentieth century focusing on the victim’s side of the story in the criminal justice system.

Importance of Victimology

Understanding Victimization: Victimology focuses on four aspects: demographic characteristics of victims, behavioral patterns of victims, or common traits that can predetermine the victim.

Impact on Victims: Here the focus is on the psychological and the emotional impact of crime to the victim. Knowledge of these effects can assist in establishing assistive networks and material for victims and survivors inclusive of council and advocating legal services.

Victim Rights: Victimology addresses the roles and status of individuals who receive the victim tag all over the criminal justice system. This also involves making the voice of the victim to be heard during trials and avail the relevant services for the victim’s adjustment.

Criminology and Victimology as Two Disciplines with a Crossroads

Criminology and victimology are two sides of the same coin as both help in understanding the phenomenon and impact of crime. As criminologists study the actions of offenders, then victimologists study the impact of crime on victims. Both fields are based on the notion of crime prevention and intervention and their complementarity.

For example, a criminologist will look at why a robbery has taken place, whereas a victimologist looks at how a robbery has affected the victim. Such knowledge can make Crime prevention measures as well as services to victims more efficient.

Criminology and Victimology Course

For those interested in pursuing a career in criminology and victimology, several educational paths are available:

Bachelor’s Degree: Any degree in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, or psychology gives one basic information regarding crime and victims. Common subjects taught in these programs include criminal justice, criminology theory, and research.

Master’s Degree: It is also important to gain advanced degrees in criminology or victimology which will provide specific training and research. Topics that learners may be indulged with include restorative justice, trauma informed care, and crime prevention.

Certifications and Workshops: Certification and training for services within victim advocacy are available from a number of organizations. The gist of such programs is to prepare individuals that are responding to victims for this responsibility.

Conclusion

Criminology and victimology are two important sciences to win the war against crime and know its effect on society. Studying the origin of criminal activity as well as the situation with victims, it is possible to create better prevention measures. 

Employment prospects for these positions enable people to have well rewarding careers committed to the cost of assisting victims of crime. Criminology and victimology will be valuable as society tries to deal with crime and effects in the future.