World Society of Victimology

WSV Awards and Honors List

Hans von Hentig Award

This award is the highest award our Society can give and is presented in remembrance of the famous pioneer of Victimology, Hans von Hentig. It is ordinarily presented every 3 years to a person, who has made a significant contribution in the field of Victimology. Each member of the Society may nominate a candidate to the President. Before each Symposium convenes, the Executive Committee decides who will receive the award.

  • Israel Drapkin, Israel (1982)
  • Marlene Young, USA (1985)
  • Marvin Wolfgang, USA (1988)
  • Beniamin Mendelsohn, Israel (1991)
  • Irene Melup, USA (1994) (USA)
  • Luis Rodrìguez Manzanera, Mexico (1997)
  • Zvonimir Paul Šeparović, Croatia (2000)
  • Jan van Dijk, Netherlands (2003)
  • Hans Joachim Schneider (2006)
  • Ezzat A. Fattah (2009)
  • Emilio Viano (2012)
  • Dame Helen Reeves (2015)
  • Jane Connors (2018)
  • Marc Groenhuijsen (2022)

Benjamin Mendelsohn Young Scholar Award

This award is presented in remembrance to the famous pioneer of Victimology, Beniamin Mendelsohn, to a young victimologist who has made promising contributions to victimology.

  • Rianne M. Letschert (2009)
  • Chie Maekoya (2012)
  • Chadley James (2015)
  • Deanna Button (2018)
  • Mary Iliadis (2022)

Irene Melup Certificates of Appreciation

This Award is given to deserving individuals to recognize major accomplishments and/or special events significant to the field of Victimology. This Award is decided upon by the Executive Committee and signed by the President and the Secretary General. This Award may be presented as often as deemed appropriate. Nominations for this Award must be made in writing to the President and may only be from a member in good standing of the Society.

  • Beniamin Mendelsohn, Israel (1982)
  • John P.J. Dussich, USA (1985)
  • Chris Sumner, Australia (1987)
  • Irene Melup, USA (1988)
  • Heber Vargas, Brazil (1991)
  • Hilda Marchiori, Argentina (1991)
  • Elias Neuman, Argentina (1994)
  • V.R. Krishna Iyer, India (1994)
  • Ray Withrod (1994)
  • Hidemichi Morosawa, japan (1997)
  • Wesley G. Skogan, USA (2000)
  • Marc Groenhuijzen, Netherlands (2003)
  • John Stein (2007)
  • Sarah Ben David (2009)
  • Andrew Karmen (2012)
  • Jo-Anne Wemmers (2015)
  • Maria de la Luz Lima (2018)
  • Michael O’Connell (2018)
  • Sue O’Sullivan (2022)

Honorary Membership

Honorary Membership is awarded to an individual, to honor his or her progress and also significant accomplishment in the victimological field. The Honorary Membership is decided by the Executive Committee and is awarded by the President or Secretary General.

  • Willem Hendrik Nagel
  • Henri Ellengerger
  • Beniamin Mendelson
  • Israel Drapkin
  • Elias Neuman
  • Hilda Marchiori (2009)
  • Koichi Miazawa (2009)
  • Irvin Waller (2015)
  • Vesna Nikolic-Ristanovic (2018)
  • John Dussich (2022)

Presidents

  • Hans Joachim Schneider, Germany (1979-1985)
  • Zvonimir Paul Šeparović, Croatia (1985-1988)
  • Koichi Miyazawa, Japan (1988-1991)
  • Chris Sumner, Australia (1991-1994)
  • Irvin Waller, Canada (1994-1997)
  • Jan van Dijk, Netherlands (1997-2000)
  • Gerd Ferdinand Kirchhoff, Germany (2000-2003)
  • Marlene A. Young, USA (2003-2006)
  • John P.J.Dussich, USA (2006-2009)
  • Marc Groenhuijsen, Netherlands (2009-2018)
  • Robert Peacock, South Africa (2018-2022)
  • Janice O. Joseph, USA (2022-2024)
  • Gema Varona (2024- )