Hans von Hentig

German criminologist

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June 17, 2026

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Hans von Hentig was a German criminologist who, along with Benjamin Mendelsohn and Henri Ellenberger, pioneered the field of victimology in the 1940s and 1950s. Victimology is a branch of criminology that scientifically studies the relationship between an injured party and an offender. Von Hentig and his contemporaries examined victim-offender interactions, suggesting that victims might share some responsibility for their misfortunes due to their own actions or behaviors. This perspective aimed to identify costly mistakes and develop risk-reduction strategies. While the field initially focused on victim blame, it evolved to emphasize victimization prevention, improving the handling of complainants, and aiding victim recovery.1

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victimology
…’50s, when several criminologists (notably Hans von Hentig, Benjamin Mendelsohn, and Henri Ellenberger) examined victim-offender interactions and stressed reciprocal influences and role reversals. These pioneers raised the possibility that certain individuals who suffered wounds and losses might share some degree of responsibility with the lawbreakers for their own misfortunes. For…
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…’50s, when several criminologists (notably Hans von Hentig, Benjamin Mendelsohn, and Henri Ellenberger) examined victim-offender interactions and stressed reciprocal influences and role reversals. These pioneers raised the possibility that certain individuals who suffered wounds and losses might share some degree of responsibility with the lawbreakers for their own misfortunes. For…
Read More