About the DOV
Pictured above: Dr. Bonnie Fisher & Dr. Robert Jerin
Originally conceptualized by founders Dr. Bonnie S. Fisher and Dr. Robert Jerin in 2012, the Division of Victimology (DOV) was created to bring together victimologists and those whose research and/or daily work focuses on victimization in an effort to help the field of victimology evolve and draw continued attention to the issue of victimization.
During the first DOV meeting at the 2012 American Society of Criminology (ASC) conference in Chicago, Bonnie and Bob were overwhelmed by the turnout of new members as over 50 people crowded into a room intended to hold less than two dozen. The DOV grew with dozens of new members joining each year. Today, the DOV has become a well-established division within the ASC, boasting over 200 members from countries around the world.
Our Mission
The mission of the Division of Victimology is to promote the professional growth and development of its members through scholarship, pedagogy, and practices associated with the field of victimology. The DOV strives to ensure that its members will:
- Contribute to the evolution of the victimology discipline by supporting and disseminating cutting-edge research;
- Develop and share pedagogical resources;
- Support professional enhancement workshops and activities;
- Embrace the development of evidence-informed programs and services;
- Advance victims’ rights;
- Encourage the advancement of the intersection of scholarship and practices.