SELLIN AND WOLFGANG

Sellin and Wolfgang

Sellin and Wolfgang

The typologies of Wolfgang and Sellin are the results from extracting and synthesizing data of various typologies and types in the literature. Two trends in the construction of typologies, in general, observed by Hempel (op. cit., p. 154) are also slowly developing in criminology: "the shift from systems based on observable characteristics to systems based on theoretical concepts; and second, a general shift from classificatory concepts and methods to ordering concepts and procedures, both of the non-quantitative and of the quantitative varieties. (Alexander 1974)

Theories of Victimization by Crime

Victimizers act to produce victim states in victimizing events. This structured duality in the noun victimization-referring both to the act and the state of being victimized-is ignored by criminologists whose theories identify victimization with classes of people labeled victims and who are treated as distinct from other classes of people labeled victimizers or violators. That distinction distorts the reality of victimization as events where one or more persons by their victimizing (victimization of) others are labeled victimizers solely on the basis of their behavior in that particular event and others who are in the state of being victimized (victimization) who are labeled victims solely on the basis of consequences for them in that event. (Baker 1989) The particular states in victimization events often are treated as continuing beyond those events. Even with persons as multiple victims or violators, their classification derives from looking only at one of the two possible statuses in victimization events. (Amsterdam 2005)

That the status presumption in events creates distinct classes or sub-populations of victims and victimizers are highly questionable is demonstrated by Simon's work reported in this symposium, using the follow-up survey information from Delinquency in a Birth Cohort. Not only does considerable overlap exist between populations of victims and offenders as demonstrated by the substantial proportion of violators having also been victims, but considerable evidence exists that the experience of being victimized increases the propensity for offending and that populations of victims and offenders have homogeneous characteristics. Gottfredson draws our attention to a related fact, that often characteristics closely associated with victimization are also associated with offending. (Daly 1981)

Primary Victimization

The first element (often referred to as 'primary victimization') comprises whatever interaction may have taken place between offender and 'victim' during the commission of the offence, plus any after effects arising from this interaction or from the offence itself. The second element encompasses 'the victim's' reaction to the offence, including any change in self-perception that may result from it, plus any formal response that s/he may choose to make to it. (Walsh 1997) The third element consists of any further interactions that may take place between 'the victim' and others, including the various criminal justice agencies with whom s/he may come into contact as a result of this response. (Walsh 1997)

Secondary Victimization

It is not uncommon for the victim of a crime to suffer from secondary victimization as they are forced to explain what happened. In some cases the victim will have her ...