Victimology Collaborative Reflections by Janice Ndegwa https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections en-us 2018-05-21 09:21:11 UTC 2026-02-17 18:40:50 UTC hello@padlet.com Victim construction and contestation jndegwa https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262303491 I found this article about how the language of "trigger warnings", "microaggressions", "safe spaces", "conversations", "political correctness" etc. used when dealing with differences of thought and social justice issues, actually builds a victim mentality to be very thought-provoking. It also opened the floodgates to a lot of critiques and discussions: https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/all/2015/08/debating-the-new-campus-pc/402113/]]> 2018-05-21 09:30:04 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262303491 Trigger as a social construct...or something like that cokwara15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262631373 I just found this interesting article which sheds some light on social construction of 'responses' and inspires reflection on our triggers. It relates to the victim construction in a sense.

]]> 2018-05-22 10:43:45 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262631373 Privilege, Power and Structuration opusumane15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262644912 I think this module will be interesting an perhaps an eye-opener for a lot of issues of systemic oppression and how structures contribute to 'who' and 'why' there is a victim to be branded. I  have a particular interest in observing class dynamics and how certain kind of privileges, e.g. born into a specific type of background, specific sexual orientation etc. manifest in the way we engage the discourse of labelling and how we position ourselves in the topic of victimology.

The C1 we read from the class was interesting, and I still have a lot of questions on a lot of our founded readings being from the foundations of white males, elite or embodying characteristics that become an interesting topic of discussion given the issue of intersectionality, identity, culture and context. Regarding power and knowledge production, who has leverage and the loudest voice? Does your privilege remain a blind spot?

]]> 2018-05-22 11:46:45 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262644912 The Laws of Being A Victim - A Ted Talk with Shanna Parker ekitange15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262674414 She begins by defining a victim as "someone who's being (been) hurt". She spoke about 3 of Newton's Laws as an inspiration of the laws of recovering and in being a victim:

1. an object will remain in uniform motion unless it's acted upon

2. The more force the more acceleration. 

3. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  

So it was a cool Ted Talk about what victims are, how they are treated and what the three laws of being one and recovering as one are. It helps us answer or understand some of our questions on the role of society and 'self' and 'identity' in the labeling of a victim. ]]> 2018-05-22 13:12:00 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262674414 Legitimising Victim Status rsolomon15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262709686 Today's class raised multiple questions for me:

1. What does 'victim' really mean—is it a characteristic, an identity, a tool?

2. In the growing discourse of identity politics, how does being a victim contribute to one's identity and social standing?

3. If multiple state definitions of 'victim' rely on criminal laws, what then happens to those who feel impaired by issues not yet covered by the law?

All these lead me to thinking about what legitimises 'victim-hood'. Using the example of the Rwandan or Kosovian genocides, these attrocities were only responded to once the international community legitimised the victim status in these regions.

In addition, if laws are dated, and do not cover the present situation adequately, what happens to victims who know there is an issue but cannot have it defined legally, and therefore have to suffer until it is in the public domain? Facebook and its mass surveillance is one case of mass victimisation and breach of privacy which has not yet been defined legally as a crime.]]> 2018-05-22 14:32:17 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262709686 Questions: wwambugu15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262711680
  • Is the study of victimology sexist? (Goodey pg 11)
  • Does the state truly understand what a victim wants in terms of justice, if the justice system itself was built off of understanding crime in the first place?
    • Reflection:
    International governing bodies and the respective charters/declarations/etc... are all a sham (i.e. the UN's SDGs). It's all about power, who has it, and how they can use it to keep you in your place. Using victim as a label and a lens is just one of the ways in which this is achieved. 
    Thank you. 

    ]]>     2018-05-22 14:37:12 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262711680     Questions and Take Away lsetata15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262752693 Today's class was an interesting introductory into the study of victimology. My main take away is that the term "Victim" is associated with Pain and Negativity mostly.

    Therefore my questions are that, is it possible to associate a victim with pleasure instead of pain? With wealth instead of poverty? With victory instead of failure?

    Looking forward to your views:)]]>     2018-05-22 16:16:26 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262752693     Questions Grishon https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262765541 1. When is using the 'victim card' to get ahead enough? 
    2. Must there be power involved for someone to be termed as a victim? 
    3..What role has the media played  in ensuring that being a victim is associated with pain? 
     ]]>     2018-05-22 16:50:59 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262765541     Reflection fsanogo15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262819996 I am particularly interested in the role of language in the contextualization of victimology. Clearly, the term has different connotations in different languages. It is important that throughout this semester, we try as much as possible to look at this discipline through different lenses.


    ]]>     2018-05-22 19:12:07 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262819996     Reflection ssalami15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262837957 Though I forsee this class to be a little bit creepy, I am sorta excited to be a part of it as well. I agree (to some extent) with what Rene said about using the term victim as a tool for whatever reasons anyone deem fit. However, I personally feel like there are some people who are "actually victims" and are not using it as a tool for self benefit but as a tool for survival.
    Hence, can we say being a victim is a tool used for whatever reasons the wielder feels legitimate as well as an unfortunate identity that is a part of you? What happens when "the victim" is able to bail themselves out of the unfortunate situation? Can they still be referred to as victims?

    ***
    Find out next week on The Victimology Show with Salami!!
    ]]>     2018-05-22 20:26:40 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262837957     Reflection storkornoo15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262844719 I am looking forward to learning and relearning as Nicole has said in her reflection. I realised from class yesterday that when I think of the word "victim", it is usually in a negative place. I am looking forward to seeing how each and everyone of us in the class have constructive and objective conversations on Victimhood. 
    Fanidh in class yesterday posed an important question on the meaning of victim in our local languages. It took me a while to get the meaning of victim in not just Twi, but in Fante and Ewe (other languages I speak and/or understand) I believe then that changes the understanding of a victim and the different lenses through which we can understand what victimhood is.

    ]]>     2018-05-22 21:05:08 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262844719     Reflection and Lingering Questions sgogo15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262919270 After reading chapter one of Goodey, the first thing that I'm compelled to ask is whether victimhood is an identity which once assumed, affects and is present across all spheres of a victim's life as Rock's definition suggests or whether victimhood is simply a classification fit for a particular context where a human being has suffered directly or indirectly in the hands of another.  As we get into the course, i'm hoping to see the different scenarios in criminology where an individual is considered a victim, what makes it so and how their victimhood is addressed. I recognize that this class will be uncomfortable for me at different points simply because I will be required to seek perspectives that are not always in favour of the alleged victim and this is something that liberals really frown upon in today's society as they consider it 'victim blaming'. All in all, i'm truly excited for this course.]]> 2018-05-23 06:07:29 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262919270 Exciting learning! asoulimani15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262923884 I am curious to know if at the end of the day we are all victims of each other's misunderstanding about who we are. In many ways, I am very intrigued by the entire course, and the causality of trauma and social harm on 'victims'.  Understanding victimhood as citizens from the post-colonies will also be an interesting  perspective from which we will be approaching the course. 

     In parallel, after reading chapter 1 of the assigned text, I questioned the extent to which the "new modes of governance" play a major role in decreasing crime and victimisation. 

    The invention of development as described by Escobar, the power of deciding who is a victim and who isn't is all part of the social construction of crime, and this course will hopefully enable us to see, hear and understand the voices of victims. 

    Finally, I remain curious about the politics of proof within the scope of immigration, and the ways in which there could be a  shift in paradigm. 

    ]]>     2018-05-23 06:34:41 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262923884     Just a Few Thoughts. kchepkorir15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262934799 It is very interesting to learn how we all understand the term 'victim' and how looking further into it is shaped by our different backgrounds. For me, one of the biggest takeaways from this class was how I need to 'unlearn' some of the meanings and concepts I have attached to victims such as weak and low economic status. I was also interested in learning more about penal populism which is the process where the majority political parties compete with each other to be 'tough on crime'. To what extent do our governments practice this and create the false image of protecting victims yet in the real sense it is for their political good.  

     A question  that came up with the discussion we had was how to deal with people who don't identify as victims but other people clearly identify them as such. 

    All in all, I am looking forward to learning and unlearning a lot of things from this class.      ]]>     2018-05-23 07:29:20 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262934799     The gaze on victim dsichinga15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262971845 This module for me is going to be interesting as well as challenging in the first place. More especially that it might open a pandora's box for many people. I am also interested in seeing how best we can build better societies that are based on respect for Victims testimonies despite them having means of proving that certain acts happened. Recently, I got into an argument with some people that blamed someone who was sexually molested by a group of individuals. I am looking forward to seeing how our day to day conversations construct Victimhood. One more thing I am interested in learning is how different criminal justice systems respond to victims. 

    ]]>     2018-05-23 10:26:35 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262971845     Interpretations of a 'Victim'. ssalau200 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262998028 Since our class yesterday, I've been really interested in knowing what a victim means in various African languages as Janice asked. I realized through Hausa and Yoruba that victimology varies according to societies. I'm eager to know of our different interpretations formed through our varying backgrounds - And if, like many concepts, 'victim' as a general term has been influenced by Western perceptions. ]]> 2018-05-23 12:25:58 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/262998028 On measuring victimization: fsanogo15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/264173409 Just as measuring GDP, measuring victimization is a complex task. The main aims of these measurements are still unclear to me, as this data collected can be used a structural violence tool, and their interpretation very much depends on the most powerful's definition, if that makes sense. ]]> 2018-05-29 07:59:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/264173409 On measuring victimization jndegwa https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/264722974 Since our class on Tuesday, I've been reflecting on the limitations of measuring victimization. I know some of you struggled with the Agozino reading and I think I've found another way to rephrase/explain his argument. 

    A quote often attributed to Albert Einstein notes that "Not everything that counts can be counted, and nor everything that can be counted counts". In Economics, Goodhart's law is summarized as "When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure". Both quotes get to the ideas underlying Agozino's argument i.e. since crime and victimization are socially constructed, measurements and data are value-laden as well. In this case, global histories of slavery, colonialism, patriarchy and racism  have shaped how crime and victimization have been constructed. Thus, when data is collected, it carries in it whatever biases, prejudice etc are already inherent in our societies. When this data is used by the criminal justice system, politicians, the public to push for a change i.e. when they are turned into targets, they reify and expand whatever biases exist in society resulting in the (re)victimization of groups that were already on the fringes of society.

    I hope this helps.
     ]]>     2018-05-31 08:27:46 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/264722974     Question on Theoretical Perspectives sbaah15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/265391389 How does tax policies influencing marriage rates affect victimization?]]> 2018-06-04 13:52:08 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/265391389 Theoretical Perspectives- An example storkornoo15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/266636519 Since our class, I have been thinking about the different examples of the theories discussed in class. I see an example of the Routine Activities theory here at ALU. We have quite number of workers on campus from gardeners to maintenance officers and security personnel etc. These workers are on campus and begin to notice your routine-your movement to and from class, cafeteria etc. From there, they can decide to commit a crime against you such as stealing, kidnapping, stalking etc.]]> 2018-06-11 15:09:07 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/266636519 Which theoretical perspective do you find the most convincing at explaining victimisation? storkornoo15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/266687374 I would like to think I find Lifestyle and Routine Activities Theories most convincing at explaining victimisation. Someone paying close attention to your routine and following your movements makes you a more likely target for a criminal . Because they know they know how you move, they would know when to catch you "off-guard" potentially creating the space for repeat victimisation as well.]]> 2018-06-11 19:56:07 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/266687374 Papers on non-human victimisation ekitange15 https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/266775716 More on the point of non-human forms of victimisation, I found two papers that are SO interesting and add on to that:

    http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10282580.2017.1348898
    - on the victimology of non-human animal harms  that breaks down the 'ideal victim' a bit more or to a similar level as the readings we've been doing.

    and (personally a more interesting one because it's a different perspective),

    http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269758017745615?journalCode=irva
    - an article on green victimology and non-human victims . I had NO idea that there was something called green victimology! 

    Hope this serves of an interest to you like it did to me! ]]>     2018-06-12 09:14:50 UTC https://padlet.com/jndegwa/victimology_collaborative_reflections/wish/266775716