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: Victimology focuses on the relationship between the victim and the offender. Victims are often classified based on their level of "participation" or "contribution" (unintentional or otherwise) to the criminal event.

Step 1: Matching Passive and Active Roles.

• Non-participating victims (A): These are victims who have absolutely no role or choice in the matter, often due to physical or social helplessness. Foeticide and infanticide (III) are prime examples, as the victim is an infant or fetus.
• Provocative victims (B): These are victims who occupy a status or perform an action that triggers the offender's bias or demand. In the context of the Indian criminal justice system, Dowry death victims (IV) are categorized here because the victim's social status/demands made upon them provoke the fatal conflict.

Step 2: Matching Systemic and Direct Victims.

• Participating victims (C): This refers to individuals involved in social or ritualistic systems where they are "victimized" by the practice itself. Sati, devadasi, and prostitution (II) involve victims who are participants in a social system of exploitation.
• Retaliating victims (D): These are victims in standard crimes like Rape, domestic violence, or robbery (I), where the victimization is direct and the response of society/law is meant to retaliate against the offender on the victim's behalf.