[1] This in turn opens the door to the consideration of political and human rights issues, including victims of war crimes, and contribution with a comparative perspective.

The International Review of Victimology was first published in 1989 under the leadership of John Freeman and Leslie Sebba.

The new journal was meant to reflect current developments in the field of victimology, in which leading experts in the field would have an input, not only as contributors, but also in terms of editorial policy and via the peer review process.

Unfortunately, at the time of publishing the first issue, it was already clear that John Freeman would have to retire as editor due to health problems.

Since its start, the Review has been published in association with the World Society of Victimology, though it is editorially independent from the WSV.