Victimology: yesterday, today and tomorrow

The article considers the main stages of the origin, formation and development of «victimology» as an independent scientific direction, studying the victims of unlawful acts. The authors disclosed in general the history of the doctrine of sacrifice abroad, the works of local researchers who initiated the development of criminal victimology are covered. Current research in the field of knowledge about the victims of crime in our country is illustrated and conclusions about the future development of victimological branch of knowledge are drawn.