ABSTRACT
Although this chapter focuses on the theories that have been developed to explain victimisation, it is necessary at the outset to explain how these theories relate to criminological theory. The study of victims has had a much shorter history than criminology but it has reflected the concerns of many theories of crime. Dignan (2005) and Goodey (2005) describe victimology as a new and expanding sub-discipline within criminology. Dignan states that, while criminology has concentrated on crime and criminals, victimology is concerned with crime and its victims (2005, p. 31). Victimologists address different aspects of victimisation, such as theories of victimisation, the needs of victims, the impact of victimisation, the fear of crime and victim surveys. Some victimologists are primarily engaged in an academic analysis of victimisation while others might be called activists who are mainly involved with the provision of victim services.
