Short summary of the book: During the 1980s and 1990s, Medellín, Colombia, was characterised by serious and violent crime. Thousands were murdered and many more were psychologically and physically injured, including civilians. Despite the great humanitarian damage, the biggest and most notorious perpetrator, Pablo Escobar, has become a brand name as major media companies make entertainment out of his and the drug cartels' mythical story. However, the victims' stories are forgotten.

Drawing on critical criminology and victimology, "Victimhood, Memory, and Consumerism: Profiting from Pablo" examines the status of crime victims and how victims are affected by the massive commercial exploitation of Medellín's violent past. Based on unique empirical material, the book documents the history of violence in Medellín through interviews with people affected by drug violence.

Read more on the publisher's website

Katja Franko, honorary doctor at Stockholm University and Professor of Criminology at the University. Photo: Maud Hol

Katja Franko is professor of criminology at University of Oslo. Her work is both empirically groundbreaking and theoretically important, addressing issues of migration, border control, surveillance and international policing in a globalized world. In light of political changes in the Nordic region, professor Franko’s research has become increasingly relevant. Franko works at the University of Oslo and has published several influential books as well as articles in top criminological scientific journals.

Read more about Katja Franko.

 

Katja Franko is also visiting us at september 26th for an open lecture.
Read more about that here.