Mendelsohn, known as “the father of victimology” created a classification of victims on the basis of their culpability, or the degree of the victim’s blame. List and describe three of the six levels.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

1.) Completely innocent victim: victim who bears no responsibility at all for victimization; victim simply because of his or her nature such as being a child
2.) Victim with minor guilt: a victim who is victimized owing to ignorance; a victim who inadvertently places him or herself in harm’s way
3.) Victim as guilty as offender/voluntary victim: a victim who bears as much responsibility as the offender; a person who enters into a suicide pact
4.) Victim more guilty than offender: a victim who instigates or provokes own victimization
5.) Most guilty victim: a victim who is victimized during the perpetration of a crime or as a result of crime
6.) Simulating or imaginary victim: a victim who actually was not victimized at all but instead fabricates a victimization event