What does the term victimology refer to in criminology?

Victimology is a subfield within criminology that focuses specifically on the study of crime victims. It encompasses an exploration of the characteristics of victims, including their demographics, the nature of their victimization, and the impact of a crime on their lives. This field aims to understand how different factors can make certain individuals or groups more susceptible to becoming victims and how their experiences can influence their behavior and responses to crime.

Through victimology, researchers can develop insights into how victimization occurs, the psychological effects on victims, and the social and legal responses to their victimization. This understanding is essential for crafting supportive policies and practices aimed at helping victims and reducing victimization in society.

The other options relate to different aspects of criminology but do not capture the essence of victimology. The study of crime rates pertains to criminology's broader statistical analysis, the analysis of criminal behavior focuses on the perpetrators rather than victims, and the assessment of criminal justice policies involves an evaluation of systems and responses rather than a direct examination of victim experiences.