Revisiting the 'Ideal Victim': Developments in Critical Victimology

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.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
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.

Review :
"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."