7. • The application of the label ‘victim’ is seen to
essentialise the person and removes agency
• In response some have suggested that the term
‘survivors’ is more appropriate
• The term survivors is no less essentialising and
importantly loses sight of the process of
victimisation.
• Taking on victim status is important for a number
of reasons:
‐ to develop a response and take action
‐ without victim status no culpability
Victimisation is not an act but a process of
action and reaction in which the person
becomes the primary definer
8. Nils Christie’s notion of the ‘ideal victim’
‐ weak in relation to the offender
‐ engaged in a legitimate activity
‐ unknown to the perpetrator
‐ essentially blameless
Richard Sparks’ notion of ‘victim proneness’
‐Regularly exposed to risky situations
‐ high visibility
‐ accessibility
‐ vulnerability
‐ impunity
The paradox is that women involved in prostitution tend
to score very highly on Sparks criteria but are less likely
to be seen as legitimate victims for the reasons outlined
by Christie.