Question

Match the LIST-I with LIST-II
LIST-I (Classification of victims) & LIST-II (Examples)
A. Non-participating victims & I. Rape, domestic violence, robbery
B. Provocative victims & II. Sati, deodasi, prostitution
C. Participating victims & III. Foeticide, infanticide
D. Retaliating victims & IV. Victims of dowry death
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV
• B. A-I, B-III, C-IV, D-II
• C. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
• D. A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV

Hint:

To solve matching questions in Victimology, focus on the agency of the victim. If they are totally helpless (like an infant), they are always Non-participating.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:

• Victim typology helps in understanding the degree of responsibility or involvement a victim may have in the criminal event.
• Different scholars like Mendelsohn and von Hentig have categorized victims based on their biological, social, or psychological characteristics.

Step 1: Identify Non-participating victims
These are victims who are completely innocent and have no biological or social link to the crime's initiation. Infants (infanticide) and fetuses (foeticide) are the ultimate examples of totally passive and non-participating victims.
Thus, A matches with III.

Step 2: Identify Provocative victims
Provocative victims are those whose actions or social situation triggers the offender's behavior. In the sociological context of many Indian crimes, victims of dowry death are often preceded by intense social friction and demands that "provoke" the final tragic act.
Thus, B matches with IV.

Step 3: Identify Participating victims
These are individuals who voluntarily engage in an act that is legally considered a crime or carries a high risk of victimization. Practices like Sati, the Devadasi system, or engaging in prostitution involve the victim's active (though often socially coerced) participation.
Thus, C matches with II.

Step 4: Identify Retaliating victims
These are victims who are involved in a cycle of violence or who have some prior interaction with the offender that leads to a crime like rape, domestic violence, or robbery where there is a direct interpersonal confrontation.
Thus, D matches with I.

Step 5: Final Matching Result
The sequence A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I corresponds to option (C).