Galona’s review of victim labelling theory: A rejoinder
| Author | Jan van Dijk |
| Date | 01 January 2019 |
| Published date | 01 January 2019 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0269758018805558 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Galona’s review of victim
labelling theory: A rejoinder
Jan van Dijk
Tilburg University, The Netherlands
Abstract
In this article the author responds to a review by Galona (2018) of the historical-theological parts
of victim labelling theory as elaborated previously in this journal and elsewhere (van Dijk, 2009).
According to Galona, the term ‘victima/victim’ as a special name for Jesus Christ was not coined by
Reformation theologians like Calvin, as asserted by van Dijk, but was for example already widely
used by Roman poets. It also appeared in pre-Reformation theological writings for centuries. In his
rejoinder, the author explains that Roman poets indeed sometimes used the term ‘victima’ for
human beings but did so in a purely metaphorical sense. He agrees with Galona that the use of this
label in its figural sense denoting Christ’s deep and innocent suffering emerged in theological
writings pre-dating the Reformation. However, the label only ‘went viral’ around the time of the
Reformation and has, from that time onwards, been the universal colloquial term for ordinary
people victimised by crime across the Western world. In the second part of the article, the author
elaborates on the theoretical and practical implications of the Christian roots of the ‘victima’ label.
For centuries, victims of crime were expected to undergo their suffering meekly, in imitation of
Christ. Ongoing secularisation has emancipated crime victims from the restraining ‘victima’ label,
allowing them to freely speak up for themselves. Recent victim-friendly reforms of criminal justice
have been driven by the need to find a new, victim-centred legitimacy in an increasingly secularised
world.
Keywords
Victims, labelling, Jesus Christ, the Reformation, retraumatisation, secularisation, criminal justice
Introduction
In an article in a recent issue of the International Review of Victimology, American theologian
Galona (2018) critically reviewed victim labelling theory as elaborated by myself, especially some
of the historical-theological elements thereof (van Dijk, 2006, 2008, 2009). Galona’s criticism
Corresponding author:
Jan van Dijk, INTERVICT, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Email: Jan.vanDijk@uvt.nl
International Review of Victimology
2019, Vol. 25(1) 125–131
ªThe Author(s) 2018
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DOI: 10.1177/0269758018805558
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