Victim vs. Survivor: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 7, 2023
A victim is someone harmed by an event or action, while a survivor is someone who endures through adversity or challenges.
Key Differences
A victim typically refers to a person who has suffered harm or injury, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, due to an event, circumstance, or the actions of another. On the other hand, a survivor signifies a person who has persisted, endured, and often overcome such adversities.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
The term victim often emphasizes the negative experience and the passive receiving of harm or injustice. Conversely, survivor conveys a sense of resilience and active overcoming of challenges, suggesting strength and perseverance.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
While both victim and survivor can be used to describe someone who has faced adversity, the context or perspective from which we view their experience often determines the chosen term. Speaking of someone as a victim might highlight their suffering, while referring to them as a survivor emphasizes their resilience.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
It's crucial to note that some individuals may identify with being a victim to acknowledge the injustices they faced, while others might prefer survivor to focus on their journey of healing and recovery.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
In some contexts, a person might transition from being viewed as a victim to a survivor, marking a phase of personal growth, recovery, and empowerment after undergoing challenging experiences.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Victim and Survivor Definitions
Victim
Someone adversely affected by circumstances.
Economic downturns can create financial victims.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Survivor
An individual who overcomes traumatic experiences.
Survivors of the accident formed a close-knit support group.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
Victim
An individual suffering from a negative event.
The flood left many victims in its wake.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
Survivor
An individual who outlives others.
He's the sole survivor of his World War II battalion.
Janet White
Oct 25, 2023
Victim
An individual who has been deceived or cheated.
The scam artist targeted elderly victims.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
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Survivor
Someone who continues living after a threatening event.
Cancer survivors gathered for an annual event.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
Victim
A person harmed by another's actions.
The bully's victim was afraid to go to school.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Victim
A person who suffers from prejudice or discrimination.
Many feel like victims of systemic bias.
Janet White
Oct 25, 2023
Survivor
To carry on despite hardships or trauma; persevere
Families that were surviving in tents after the flood.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
One who is harmed or killed by another, especially by someone committing a criminal or unlawful act
A victim of a mugging.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
A living creature slain and offered as a sacrifice during a religious rite.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
One who is harmed by or made to suffer under a circumstance or condition
Victims of war.
Victims of an epidemic.
Victims of poverty.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
To live, persist, or remain usable through
Plants that can survive frosts.
A clock that survived a fall.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
A person who is tricked, swindled, or taken advantage of
The victim of a cruel hoax.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
To cope with (a trauma or setback); persevere after
Survived child abuse.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
One that is harmed—killed, injured, subjected to oppression, deceived, or otherwise adversely affected—by someone or something, especially another person or event, force, or condition; in particular:
The youngest victims of the brutal war
Victim of a bad decision by a rushed and overworked judge
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
One who survives, especially one who survives a traumatic experience.
From this moment on, I choose to live not as a victim, but as a survivor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
One who is harmed or killed by a crime or scam.
Victims of assault; the murderer's victims
Became another victim of the latest scam
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
One who is harmed or killed by an accident or illness.
A fundraiser for victims of AIDS; a victim of a car crash
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
One who knew a specific decedent.
She was from a large family and had many friends, so the funeral was crowded with mourning survivors.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
One who is harmed or killed as a result of other people's biases, emotions or incompetence, or their own.
A victim of his own pride; a victim of her own incompetence
The newcomer never managed to make friends, a victim of the town's deep distrust of outsiders
A victim of sexism; victims of a racist system
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
One who survives or outlives another person, or any time, event, or thing.
The survivor boundIn filial obligation for some termTo do obsequious sorrow.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
One who is harmed or killed as a result of a natural or man-made disaster or impersonal condition.
Relief efforts to help victims of the hurricane
Victim of an optical illusion; victim of a string of bad luck
Local businesses were the main victims of the economic downturn
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
The longer liver of two joint tenants, or two persons having a joint interest in anything.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
A living being which is slain and offered as a sacrifice, usually in a religious rite.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
One who lives through affliction;
The survivors of the fire were taken to a hospital
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
A living being sacrificed to some deity, or in the performance of a religious rite; a creature immolated, or made an offering of.
Led like a victim, to my death I'll go.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
An animal that survives in spite of adversity;
Only the fittest animals were survivors of the cold winters
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Victim
A person or thing destroyed or sacrificed in the pursuit of an object, or in gratification of a passion; as, a victim to jealousy, lust, or ambition.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
A person who persists through adversity.
She's a survivor of a challenging childhood.
Sara Rehman
Oct 25, 2023
Victim
A person or living creature destroyed by, or suffering grievous injury from, another, from fortune or from accident; as, the victim of a defaulter; the victim of a railroad accident.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Survivor
A person demonstrating resilience in difficult situations.
Despite losing his job, he's a real survivor and started his own business.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
FAQs
Does being a survivor mean fully recovered?
Not necessarily; being a survivor can mean enduring, even if challenges persist.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Is the term victim always negative?
While it highlights harm or suffering, it's essential to validate the experiences of victims.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Can someone be both a victim and a survivor?
Yes, many people experience being a victim but later identify as survivors through healing.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Why might someone prefer "survivor" over "victim"?
To emphasize strength, resilience, and recovery rather than harm suffered.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Can you be a victim of natural events?
Yes, people can be victims of natural disasters, diseases, or accidents.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Is it essential to differentiate between victim and survivor?
It's crucial for understanding and addressing individual needs and perspectives.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Do all victims eventually become survivors?
It's a personal journey; some may identify as survivors, while others might not.
Sara Rehman
Nov 07, 2023
Is a survivor always related to traumatic events?
Often, but it can also refer to outliving others or enduring any challenges.
Sara Rehman
Nov 07, 2023
Can "victim" be used in a legal context?
Yes, it often refers to someone harmed in a crime or legal wrongdoing.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Is "survivor guilt" a recognized phenomenon?
Yes, it's when survivors feel guilt for having survived when others didn't.
Sara Rehman
Nov 07, 2023
Is it okay to label someone as a victim without their consent?
It's essential to be sensitive and respect individual preferences in labeling.
Harlon Moss
Nov 07, 2023
Can the use of "victim" be empowering?
For some, it's a way to acknowledge and validate the injustices they faced.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Are there specific therapies for trauma survivors?
Yes, trauma-informed therapies are designed to support survivors in their healing journey.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Can "survivor" refer to non-traumatic challenges?
Yes, it can apply to any situation where someone shows endurance and resilience.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Can animals be referred to as victims or survivors?
Yes, particularly in situations of abuse, accidents, or natural events.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Are there support groups for survivors?
Absolutely, many support groups cater to survivors of various challenges.
Janet White
Nov 07, 2023
How can we support victims in their journey to becoming survivors?
Offer understanding, resources, a listening ear, and validate their experiences.
Sara Rehman
Nov 07, 2023
How can media influence perceptions of victims and survivors?
Media portrayal can shape public views, emphasizing either vulnerability or resilience.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Are there cultures where the distinction between victim and survivor is different?
Cultural contexts can influence how these terms are perceived and used.
Harlon Moss
Nov 07, 2023
Is the transition from victim to survivor linear?
No, it's a personal journey that can have ups and downs, and everyone's path is unique.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
