The term “victim” refers to any person who has suffered direct physical, emotional or financial harm or injury as a result of a crime. The term also includes close family members of the victim, or a representative appointed by law (for example, a trustee, guardian, or attorney) who has been harmed because of the commission or attempted commission of a criminal act. Under the California Constitution and many laws, victims of crimes are automatically provided certain rights during different stages of a criminal case. Some of these rights are automatic, while others have to be requested.
The word is used most often in legal and medical contexts to describe people who have been abused in some way, including domestic violence victims, sexual assault victims, stalking or trafficking victims, among others. However, the label of “victim” can also imply helplessness and passivity, which is potentially disempowering to those who have been abused.
It is crucial to use positive synonyms for Victim, such as adversity, suffering, harm, trauma, and injury, to avoid stigmatizing those who have experienced abuse. Using positive language can also facilitate more constructive and diplomatic communication.
In New York, a number of resources are available to assist crime victims and their families, including the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and county Sheriff’s Office victim hotlines and services, as well as the online NYS crime victim notification program, Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). You can find more information on these and other crime victim assistance programs at the SUNY Sexual Assault and Violence Response Resources website or by visiting your local Office of Victim Services.