Mendelsohn’s Typologies in Popular Culture

In Season 25, Episode 11 of Law and Order: SVU, titled “Prima Nocta,” the main victim is Jenna. She was attacked in her parents’ house after her rehearsal dinner. The attacker climbed through her window while she was asleep. He covered her mouth and raped her. He also stole her clothes and bedding (00:06:44-00:08:56). The detectives discovered that the same man had attacked other brides before their weddings. They learned that he repeated the same words during every attack. His words were, “You’re going to remember me” (00:09:30-00:09:42). This made the investigators link the crimes. Mendelsohn’s typologies describe six different categories of victims. The first category is the completely innocent victim (Sengstock 1). Jenna fits this description because she was asleep and did nothing to provoke the attack. She did not invite the offender or create the situation. Some may argue that she had minor guilt because the window was open. However, that view blames the victim unfairly. According to Sengstock, this is a problem in victimology, where rape victims are often described as guilty in some way (Sengstock 12). Sengstock explains that focusing on minor details shifts blame away from the offender. This is not correct because the offender planned and carried out the assault. Jenna is best described as a completely innocent victim. Her situation shows why scholars must be careful with victim categories. The lesson is that typologies can help, but must never support victim-blaming. Jenna’s experience demonstrates the clear role of the offender and the complete innocence of the victim.