victim

In relation to violence against women, the term ‘victim’ is often used interchangeably with the term ‘survivor’. However, the term victim has been subject to criticism as it denies agency to women subjected to gender-based violence, in particular victims of rape. It has thus been suggested that the term survivor should be used. The debates in relation to this terminology are ongoing.

Despite the current debates on terms ‘victim’ and ‘survivor’ − for the sake of clarity and consistency − in all definitions in the Gender Equality Glossary related to gender-based violence we use term ‘victim’ as the same term is used in European and international sources.