The international interest in victimology started with the First International Symposium on Victimology held in Jerusalem in 1973. Since then, people have developed an understanding of what it means to become a victim of crime, the social problem posed by violence, and the patterns of day-to-day violence in their social vicinity, family, neighborhood and school. Research into victimology includes empirical studies and interviews with victims. The article discusses victimology theories, including: (1) a theory which regards victims' lifestyles only as characteristics of their personalities; (2) a dynamic model which considers the victim-offender interaction, the victimization, and the interaction between the various elements of causation to be of critical importance; (3) learned helplessness; (4) the propensity of institutions toward conflict; and (5) social structure victimization theory. The article discusses at length social structural, institutional, and collective victimization and abuse of power; victimization of women; fear of crime; victim-oriented prevention; victim assistance and treatment; and the crisis of victimology. References