Victim:
In a social and political context, victim refers to those who experience inequality or injustice. The term is also used in the context of counseling and recovery programs to empower victims, helping them to cultivate resilience and strength. It is also commonly used in disaster and emergency contexts to refer to people who have been harmed by natural or man-made catastrophes.
Victims of a crime should have access to justice and redress through mechanisms that are expeditious, fair, inexpensive and accessible. They should be free from discrimination and harassment on the grounds of their race, colour, sex, language, religion, age, political or other opinion, cultural beliefs or practices, property or birth or family status.
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between genuine victimization and someone who plays the victim card. Someone who plays the victim card often believes that they are uniquely harmed by their experiences, and that life is deliberately out to hurt them. They may suffer from a lack of confidence and are driven by pessimism, fear and anger.
Those who are self-victimizing can be extremely frustrating to live with. Their constant complaining, self-blame and refusal to take responsibility for their own actions can be very destructive. It is important to set clear boundaries around emotional dumping and to avoid rescuing them from every problem. Instead, it is helpful to ask solution-focused questions and to demonstrate that personal responsibility and resiliency are achievable. Recognizing when they are playing the victim card can be a challenge, but it is an essential first step toward change.
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