Psychological effects of crime on victims: Discussion of revictimization in the framework of victimology

Crime is one of the most important and shaping features of social life. Regardless of its nature, it should be stated that the crime has permanent effects on individuals and society in general. It is possible to observe these effects in political, social, cultural and economic fields. While crime is a threat that damages individuals' daily lives, physical, mental and spiritual integrity, economic well-being and feelings of security, on the other hand, it stands out as a phenomenon that causes disruption of social order, failure in institutional structure and erosion of necessary solidarity. The physical and psychological pressure of crime on individuals and society deeply shakes many areas from public order to education, from health to law, from political processes to economic activities. For this reason, the prevention of crime and the fight against crime have been one of the most important challenges societies have been facing in every period of history. In this study, it is planned to draw an analysis on revictimization within the framework of victimology. The fact that individuals who are victims of any criminal act experience the same, similar or different victimization in the ongoing process draws the framework of the definition of revictimization. While there may be a risk that the victimization effect will continue if sufficient improvement is not made to improve the conditions of individuals who are exposed to the physical, psychological and economic pressure caused by the crime, there may also be vulnerability for a new victimization. For this reason, while protecting the victim, reversing the victimization and providing the necessary support to the victims constitute a necessary aspect of the criminal justice system, it also imposes a serious responsibility on the state. The special subject of the study is the discussion of the psychological problems experienced by the victims due to the crime and the risk of these problems causing revictimization. Psychological distresses such as permanent shock, depression, anxiety, hypersensitivity and helplessness, which occur depending on the nature of the crime and the degree of victimization, seriously affect the lives of the victims. In this process, it is quite possible for the victims to experience problems in maintaining their social relationships, concentrating on their daily habits, overcoming the effects of the problem they are exposed to and putting up an adequate fight against a new threat. For this reason, adequate and high quality psychological support is so necessary for the victims to return to their pre-crime situation and to reduce the risk of re-victimization.