Victimology symposium 

The biggest names worldwide in the emerging field of victimology came to Fresno State for four days in April for the 3rd American Symposium on Victimology, focusing on victim rights, victim services and theoretical developments in the Americas. 

Speakers included Dr. Jane Nady Sigmon from the U.S. Department of State, whose assignments include victims of hostage-taking and terrorism, and Dr. Marlene A. Young, president of the World Society of Victimology and former executive director of the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA). She is one of the nation’s foremost victimology activists and trainers of professionals in victim services.

The symposium was coordinated in concert with the Fresno State Criminology Department. Dr. John Dussich, Fresno State criminology professor who himself is an internationally-recognized leader in victimology, spearheaded the event.

“The symposium is held in various places throughout the nation every year and Fresno State is considered a birthplace of the victimology movement,” said Dussich who joined the university in 2003.

Dussich also was a presenter on “Disaster Victimization.” Most recently, he assisted with the victims of the South Asia tsunami disaster in January at the invitation of the Indonesian government.  

Also among the pioneers is James A. Rowland, former chief probation officer for Fresno County who went on to become director of the California Department of Corrections. He opened the symposium with a keynote speech, “Remembering the Early Days.” Rowland became a leader in improving the California corrections system as director. He has been instrumental in providing leadership for the concept of restorative justice in California probation departments.

Other prominent speakers were Nady Sigmon, currently a victim assistance specialist for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Service; Dr. Murray A. Straus of the University of New Hampshire, and Dr. Robert Jerin of Endicott College in Massachusetts.

The Fresno State campus was chosen for this year’s symposium due to the Criminology Department’s preeminent reputation in the field of victimology, said Dr. Mario Gaboury associate professor of Criminal Justice at the University of New Haven.

The first Victim Certificate Program, the first Victim Services Summer Institute and the first Victimology major were all created by the Fresno State Criminology Department.

Upon completion, students receive a Victim Services Certificate which has been offered by the Criminology Department at Fresno State since 1985.  The certificate is for those working with the victims of violent crime in agencies such as rape counseling programs, domestic violence programs, victim/witness programs, etc.   

"The Victimology Program at California State University, Fresno set the standard for the creation of academic programs in the U.S,” Gaboury said.