The topics were selected because they represent, arguably, the most controversial topics in the field. This reader focuses on 10 specific issues with the last chapter attempting to resolve in a general sense the issues at hand. There are many controversial topics in victimology. Neither discipline can afford to be exclusive in terms of the inquiry moreover, when the focus is only on the offender or the victim, the stage is set to pit victims against offenders and vice versa, resulting in heated debate. More often, criminologists focus on the offender, while victimologists focus on the victim. Traditional victimology is similar to the discipline of criminology with the only difference being the focus of the inquiry. Both perspectives are valid, but adhering to one or the other creates conflict. More modern victimologists focus on “restoring” or making the victim “whole” again, the goal being to restore victims to their pre-victimization state by ameliorating their physical, emotional, and financial suffering (Karmen, 1995). Traditional victimologists study the causes of criminal victimization to explain and prevent it (Doerner & Lab, 2008), the goal being to educate others to avoid general and specific victimization. Whether victimology is considered a discipline in itself, or a sub-field of criminology, controversies emerge, depending on the emphasis of study. Reconciling the Controversies – Is Education the Panacea? Laura J. Victim-Offender Programs in Correctional Settings – Can They Effectively Bridge Divergent Perspectives? Duane Ruth-Heffelbower & Mario Thomas Gabouryįemale Sex Offenders –Does Anyone Really Get Hurt? Amie R. Victim Impact Statements –Fairness to Defendants? Ida M. McConnellĬyberstalking –What’s the Big Deal? Nicolle Parsons-Pollard & Laura J. Should Victims Have the Right to Meet with Their Offenders? Cheryl Swansonįear of Crime and Victimization Elizabeth H. The Mass Media and Victims of Rape Patricia A.
Same-Sex Intimate-Partner Violence – Lifting the Veil of Denial Anne Sullivan & Kristen Kuehnle Victim Blaming Helen Eigenberg & Tammy Garland
Moriartyīalancing Criminal Victims’ and Criminal Defendants’ Rights Gregory P. Just being able to discuss the contents of this book with others – not necessarily in the field – helped tremendously. I appreciate the support and promise to make up for slacking off in the future. Everyone is so encouraging and supportive on my desire to stay current in the field. I know you all notice but no one said anything. Many times I worked on this book – pushing my other responsibilities into another pile. Thanks also to my university, Virginia Commonwealth University, and my colleagues in the Dean’s Office. Mickey always has an encouraging smile and kind words to say when I see him. Vic provided excellent direction in the conceptualization of this project. A special thanks to Vic Kappeler and Mickey Braswell for supporting this endeavor. I appreciate each of you working with me on this project and also for participating in the double roundtable session at ACJS in New Orleans where we first presented the information contained in this reader. What started out as an idea on a long train ride has finally come to fruition. I hope it has been a pleasant experience for each of you. Moriarty “May You Live As Long As You Want, And Never Want As Long As You Live” -An Irish BlessingĪcknowledgments I wish to thank all the contributors to this reader. ISBN: 978-1-59345-5682 (softbound) Cover design by Tin Box Studio, Inc./Cincinnati, OHĭedication To June A. Includes bibliographical references and index. Anderson Publishing is a registered trademark of Anderson Publishing, a member of the LexisNexis Group.Ĭontroversies in Victimology/Laura J. LexisNexis and the Knowledge Burst logo are trademarks of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. Controversies in Victimology, Second Edition Copyright © 2003, 2008 Matthew Bender & Company, Inc., a member of the LexisNexis Group Newark, NJ ISBN: 978-1-59345-5682 Phone 87 Web Site All rights reserved.