This document provides an overview of the MSc in Victimology and Criminal Justice program presented at an information evening. It introduces the presenters and defines victimology. It outlines the key features of the interdisciplinary program including the curriculum, opportunities for internships and research, and career prospects in victim advocacy and criminal justice. Graduates are encouraged to apply for the Jan van Dijk Victimology and Victims' Rights Award for the best master's thesis in the field.

1. MSc Victimology
and
Criminal Justice

2. Master Information Evening

Short introduction of presenter dr. Felix Ndahinda / dr. Antony Pemberton

What is Victimology?

Overview of the Master program

Key features

The curriculum

Jan van Dijk Victimolgy and Victims‟ Rights Award

Sharing experiences

Opportunities

More information
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3. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
Dr. Felix M. Ndahinda / Dr. Antony Pemberton
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4. Who is Felix M. Ndahinda / Antony Pemberton?
 Background
 INTERVICT
 Research activities
 Role in Master program; educational activities
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5. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
What is Victimology?
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6. Victimology is …
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7. … and
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8. The extent of victimisation?
How many victims of crime annually in the Netherlands
A
About 200
B
About 200.000
C
Over 1 million
D
Over 3 million
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9. Who runs the greatest risk of victimisation?
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10. The trauma of 1974 (and 2010)
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11. Trauma?
What is the chance that a person develops PTSD as a
consequence of a crime?
A
80%
B
20%
C
Depends on the crime
D
Depends on your social environment and your personal
(psychological) characteristics
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12. Reactions to severe victimization
 Most people (80%)
o Intrusion (nightmares)
o Avoidance (of memories and thoughts)
o Irritability
 When complaints continue for at least three months:
possibly PTSD
 With most people: complaints will diminish, without
professional, psychological support
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13. Victims and criminal justice
A video with prof. Jan van Dijk about the trial against Robert M.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=md2GxYWxErs
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14. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
Overview of the Master program
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15. Master of Victimology and Criminal Justice - I
 An Msc in Victimology and Criminal Justice (accredited in
December 2011)
 Taught in English
 1 academic year
 Starts end of August 2014 with preparatory courses, official
start probably 8 September 2014
 Montesquieu Track (double degree)
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16. Master of Victimology and Criminal Justice - II
 Welcomes applicants with university degrees in:
o
Criminology
o
Law: i.e. national and international Criminal Law; Human Rights law;
International and European Law; …..
o
Liberal Arts
o
Sociology
o
Psychology,
o
Political Science
o
Anthropology
Different specializations in these and very related fields
o
Other: on a case by case basis
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17. Master of Victimology and Criminal Justice - III
 Application procedures are the same as for other programs
offered by Tilburg Law School/Tilburg University (see last
slide for website)
 Enrolment status
2012-2013: 39 students in the Master
2013-2014: 58 students in the Master
plus many other students enrolled in individual courses
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18. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
Key features
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19. Key features of the Master program - I
 Innovative - unique in the world to focus on victimology:
o
Victimology is defined as “the social science of victims, of victimization,
and of reactions toward both victimization and victims”
o
Particularly focuses on the interaction between victims and the criminal
justice system
 Interdisciplinary - combines various disciplines that feed into
victimology:
o
Law, Criminology, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology
and related fields
 Two introductory courses are designed to bridge the
disciplinary gaps between students; depending on their
undergraduate educational backgrounds.
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20. Key features of the Master program - II
Law
Medical
Studies
Liberal Arts
Victimology
Psychology
Political
Science
Sociology
Anthropology
Criminology
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21. Key features of the Master program - III
 International-orientation (national relevance):
o
The various courses adopt a global and comparative focus
o
The program targets Dutch and international students
 Program administered by INTERVICT:
o
An institute with global reputation as a leading authority in the field of
victimology
o
This will ensure quality education by qualified staff and renowned
visiting lecturers part of INTERVICT network
o
Students will benefit from the theoretical and practical wealth of
knowledge accumulated by INTERVICT
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22. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
Curriculum
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23. Curriculum - I
 Intensive preparatory courses in August „Introduction to
Research Methodologies in Social Sciences‟ or „Introduction to
Law‟
o
During the last week of August and first week of September
o
18 lectures and an evaluation session for each preparatory course
o
2 lecture sessions a day (morning and afternoon)
o
Lectures are concluded with an evaluation (not part of the formal ECTS)
 Tutorials by lecturers and other INTERVICT staff if needed
 Official start of courses of the Master program on 8 September
2013 (academic year 2014-2015);
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24. Curriculum - II
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25. Curriculum - III
 Master Thesis is an individual assignment on a topic either proposed the
student or chosen from a list
Master student Joukje van der Ven was inspired by a
guest lecture by Joris IJzermans (a researcher on early
intervention after disasters and calamities at the Dutch
Nivel Institute) in the course Disasters, Calamities and
Victimization:
„My master thesis is on psychosocial needs of victims of
disasters and calamities, and Joris IJzermans drew my
attention towards the importance of the uniting of victims,
and peer support. Ones’ social environment should offer
the main source of support for the victims of disasters and
calamities. It was an eye-opener for me, to hear this from
an ‘expert’ from the field like IJzermans, after simply
reading about it in scientific literature.’
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26. Curriculum - IV
 Extra-curricula, not compulsory, recommended activities:
o Internships may be arranged within INTERVICT or other
institutions
Master student Cheryl Overeem is working at INTERVICT
on a research project about sexual abuse.
‘......I have the opportunity to further deepen my knowledge
about psychological consequences of sexual abuse, but I
am also motivated to learn about the legal aspects that
surround it.’
o Intensive seminar week in Leuven (Belgium) on political
crimes and transitional justice (Catholic University Leuven,
University of Tubingen - Spring)
Master students visited the International Criminal Tribunal
for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). They were „lucky‟ to
attend a session involving Karadžić and Mladić.
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27. Curriculum - V
o Study trip to Rwanda (organized by INTERVICT PhD
Alphonse Muleefu, Spring)
Very interesting according to three Master students that
participated:
‘…. to all future students: if you have the opportunity to
participate in the trip you should really go! For us it was
a great experience that we will never forget!’
o Post-graduate course in Victimology (DubrovnikCroatia, Spring)
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28. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
Sharing experiences
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29. Two Master students elaborate …
Julia van Egeraat, Karin Keeris, Joshua Meulendijks and Joanna Spek about:

their background and expectations before the start of the program

their opinion about the content of the courses, the teaching, the workload, the
interdisciplinary mix and adaptation

studying at Tilburg University

Research Master

the Master Victimology and Criminal Justice as a second Master

Master thesis, internship and graduation

a future career
More on Facebook or in our newsletter.
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30. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
Opportunities
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31. Jan van Dijk Victimology and Victims‟ Rights Award
 Initiated by Ministry of Security and Justice and Victim Support
Fund
 Aim is to get attention for the position of the victim in academic
education and research at Dutch universities
 Named after INTERVICT professor Jan van Dijk as token of
appreciation for his contribution to the development of knowledge
in the field of victims
 Award for the best PhD dissertation and for the best Master thesis
in the field of victimology: the rights of and assistance to victims relevant to the legal status or (legal, social, psychological)
assistance to victims of crime and accidents, or for the
development of scientific knowledge on these subjects.
 More information on www.janvandijkaward.nl
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32. Your professional future
 Different bodies at international and national levels (public or private sectors)
 Examples include but are not limited to:
o
Governmental entities generally or specifically dealing with victims/related
issues
-
various ministries
-
local government entities dealing with victims/social issues
-
victim support or psychological assistance bodies
o
European and international institutions dealing with victims of crime and/or
human rights violations:
-
o
International criminal tribunals such as the International Criminal Court
non-governmental
bodies
such
as
the
International
Centre
for
Justice, Redress, Amnesty International and the EU Fundamental Rights Agency
Transitional
Academic (education and research) institutions: possibilities for PhD
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33. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
More information
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34. Registration, information and contact details

To register, visit
www.tilburguniversity.edu/education/masters-programmes/victimology-and-criminaljustice/application/

For more information, visit:
www.tilburguniversity.edu/victimology
www.facebook.com/victimology
www.tilburguniversity.edu/intervict

www.tiu.nu/victimology-and-criminal-justice
www.twitter.com/intervict
To contact us personally for more information and questions, contact us through
victimologymaster@tilburguniversity.edu
or:
o
Kathelijn van Heeswijk (Coordinator Master)
k.verschueren@tilburguniversity.edu
o
Dr. Felix Ndahinda (Program coordinator Master)
f.ndahinda@tilburguniversity.edu
o
Dr. Antony Pemberton (Program manager Master ) a.pemberton@tilburguniversity.edu
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35. Master
Victimology and Criminal Justice
Thank you for your interest in our Master program.
We hope to welcome you in August!
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36. A final reason to apply...
An enthusiastic student tells you why:
„The welcoming and open atmosphere, the high standards of INTERVICT,
the enthusiasm of all the staff members, the new, progressive and
innovative elements of the study, the opportunities the study and the
staff bring you or are willing to help you with.‟
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