Those who have suffered physical or emotional injury, economic loss, or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights through acts or omissions that are in violation of criminal laws operative within the State concerned, whether those laws include internationally recognized norms relating to the abuse of power. It also includes, where appropriate, the immediate family and dependants of victims and persons who have intervened to assist or protect them.
Potential Effect: Victims may be stigmatized if they are identified as being in the midst of or recovering from their victimization, especially if it is ongoing or has been perpetrated by someone in a position of authority (e.g., law enforcement, healthcare, or the media). The word victim can also imply passivity and helplessness which can be disempowering for individuals who are working toward reclaiming their sense of control.
Alternatives: Survivor – The term survivor is often preferred by those who have experienced sexual and domestic violence, because it focuses on resilience and the capacity to heal. It can be more empowering because it acknowledges that the person survived their trauma and that they may have moved beyond it.
Additionally, it can be more helpful to a person who has a victim mentality to use this language because it can break down barriers to self-care and compassion. This article is brought to you through a subgrant from the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, Grant No. 2017-VF-GX-K130.