Ejercicio Topic 2 · Angles Criminologic UB Mini Essay Test: Forensic Victimology

Topic 2 (max. 6 points). Victimological analysis of social prejudices: Critically assess why it is essential to recognise social prejudices against victims from a victimological perspective. Your essay must integrate and explore the following key notions: newsworthiness, ideal victim, victim blaming, and policies (length: 180–250 words).

Solución: A critical victimological perspective requires awareness of societal biases, as these misconceptions directly distort media representation, public perceptions, and institutional practices. Media outlets frequently rely on selective criteria of newsworthiness, prioritizing sensational stories that conform to Nils Christie's concept of the ideal victim—typically perceived as weak, respectable, and wholly blameless, such as an elderly woman attacked by an unknown predator. Conversely, marginalized individuals who depart from this idealized construct are systematically ignored or judged more harshly. When victims fail to match these cultural archetypes, victim blaming frequently ensues. Scrutiny is displaced from perpetrator accountability onto the victim's behavior, lifestyle, or choices, which not only causes secondary victimization but also discourages reporting and damages investigative objectivity. Crucially, these biased social attitudes directly influence legislative and criminal justice policies. Public outcry centered exclusively on sensationalized 'ideal' victims often drives reactionary, punitive penal legislation, while systemic vulnerabilities affecting high-risk populations remain neglected. By remaining conscious of these biases, criminologists and forensic practitioners can foster equitable justice interventions, counteract institutional discrimination, and advocate for evidence-based victim support frameworks that protect all victims regardless of social background.