Victims of Violence: The Emerging Field of Victimology. In Jane L. Ireland, Philip Birch, Carol A. Ireland (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Human Aggression: Current Issues and Perspectives (original) (raw)

This chapter explores the experiences of victims and survivors of violence as the targets of aggression, highlighting their unique experiences navigating the criminal justice system, advocating for recognition, and trying to heal. At the same time, the chapter points out that victims and survivors are strong and capable of personal reflection, change, and even growth. Research shows that the process of resilience can facilitated by providing access to appropriate resources and support and minimizing insensitivity. Traditional models of retributive justice typically omit consideration of the victim. A victim-centered approach is an invitation to imagine justice through a more humane lens that starts with the people who have suffered injury, assesses their needs, listens to them, considers their views, involves them in pursuing justice, keeps them informed, offers opportunities for facilitated dialogue with their perpetrator if desired, and provides physical, emotional, financial and spiritual supports as needed, as long as needed. The victim-centred approach described in this chapter recognizes intersectionality and that each person responds differently to victimisation; the approach recognizes that some victims and survivors have more access to resources and supports because of their privilege and that those with less privilege may require more support.