Policy Press

Revisiting the 'Ideal Victim'

Developments in Critical Victimology

Edited by Marian Duggan

Published

Jul 4, 2018

Page count

340 pages

ISBN

978-1447338765

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 4, 2018

Page count

340 pages

ISBN

978-1447339168

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 4, 2018

Page count

340 pages

ISBN

978-1447339175

Imprint

Policy Press
Revisiting the 'Ideal Victim'

Nils Christie’s (1986) seminal work on the ‘Ideal Victim’ is reproduced in full in this edited collection of vibrant and provocative essays that respond to and update the concept from a range of thematic positions.

Each chapter celebrates and commemorates his work by analysing, evaluating and critiquing the current nature and impact of victim identity, experience, policy and practice. The collection expands the focus and remit of ‘victim studies’, addressing key themes around race, gender, faith, ability and age while encompassing new and diverse issues. Examples include sex workers as victims of hate crimes, victims’ experiences of online fraud, and recognising historic child sexual abuse victims in Ireland.

With contributions from an array of academics including Vicky Heap (Sheffield Hallam University), Hannah Mason-Bish (University of Sussex) and Pamela Davies (Northumbria University), as well as a Foreword by David Scott (The Open University), this book evaluates the contemporary relevance and applicability of Christie’s ‘Ideal Victim’ concept and creates an important platform for thinking differently about victimhood in the 21st century.

"An essential read which applies Christie's ideas to 21st century forms of victimisation. It is an important contribution to the field and will be of use to students and academics alike." Sharon Grace, University of York

Dr Marian Duggan is a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. Her research interests focus on informing policy and practice to reduce sexual, gendered and hate-based victimisation. She has published widely in these areas, using her engagement with the statutory and third sectors to inform her teaching and scholarly practice.

The Ideal Victim ~ Nils Christie

Part One: Exploring the ‘Ideal Victim’

The Ideal Victim through Other(s’) Eyes ~ Alice Bosma, Eva Mulder and Antony Pemberton

Creating Ideal Victims in Hate Crime Policy ~ Hannah Mason-Bish

The Lived Experiences of Veiled Muslim Women as ‘Undeserving’ Victims of Islamophobia ~ Irene Zempi

Being 'Ideal' or Falling Short?: The Legitimacy of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender Victims of Domestic Violence and Hate Crime ~ Catherine Donovan and Rebecca Barnes

New Victimisations: Female Sex Worker Hate Crime and the ‘Ideal Victim’~ Karen Corteen

The ‘Ideal Migrant Victim’ In Human Rights Courts: Between Vulnerability and Otherness ~ Carolina Yoko Furusho

‘Our most precious possession of all.’ The Survivor of Historical Child Sexual Abuse as the Ideal Victim? ~ Sinéad Ring

'Idealising' Domestic Violence Victims ~ Marian Duggan

Environmental Crime, Victimisation, and The Ideal Victim ~ Pamela Davies

Part Two: Exploring the ‘Non-Ideal’ Victim

Revisiting the Non-Ideal Victim ~ Stephanie Fohring

Conceptualising Victims of Anti-Social Behaviour is Far from 'Ideal' ~ Vicky Heap

The ‘Ideal’ Rape Victim and the Elderly Woman: A Contradiction in Terms? ~ Hannah Bows

“They thought I was a bloody fool”: The Challenge of Gaining Legitimate Victim Status for Online Fraud Victims ~ Cassandra Cross

Male Prisoners’ Vulnerabilities and the Ideal Victim Concept ~ Jennifer Rainbow

A Decade After Lynndie: Non-Ideal Victims of Non-Ideal Offenders – Doubly Anomalised, Doubly Invisibilised ~ Claire Cohen

Towards an Inclusive Victimology and a New Understanding of Public Compassion to Victims: From and Beyond Christie´s Ideal Victim ~ Jorge Gracia

Conclusion ~ Marian Duggan