Introduction. The article is devoted to the consideration of such a socially significant phenomenon as victimization. An attempt is made to define the content of this term through the prism of the history of development and formation of theoretical approaches to the definition of victimology as a field of scientific knowledge and victimization as its part. In the article victimization is considered as a socially dangerous, negative phenomenon of modern society. Types of victimization are analyzed in detail, taking into account various grounds for classification, factors of victimization, as well as the stages of this process are studied, which allowed to reveal the essence of the phenomenon in question and determine the significance of the study for the theory and practice of crime prevention. Materials and Methods. The materials for the study were scientific works of scientists devoted to the study of victimology and victimization as a process and result; determinants of victimization. In the course of the study, in addition to the dialectical method of cognition, such private-scientific methods as formal-logical, structural and statistical were used. The Results of the Study allowed us to define the conceptual apparatus of victimization as a process and as a result; to identify the main constituent elements to be considered in the further development of this negative social phenomenon. Findings and Conclusions. The conducted analysis allowed to come to the conclusion about inefficiency of measures and activities on victimological prevention, as well as the impossibility of developing effective strategies for crime prevention and support (assistance) to victims of crime, without a comprehensive study and analysis of victimization as a process and as a result.