Survivor - meaning and definition
Alsovictim-survivorsurvivorssexual assault survivorabuse survivor
Definition
Survivor is a term many people use for someone who has experienced sexual or domestic violence, emphasising resilience and agency.
At a glance
- A term for someone who has experienced sexual or domestic violence.
- It emphasises resilience and agency.
- Support organisations often say "survivor", while legal systems often say "victim".
- Some people use "victim-survivor" to acknowledge both harm and recovery.
- Best practice is to use the term a person chooses for themselves.
In detail
Support organisations often use "survivor" instead of "victim", while the legal system typically uses "victim" or "complainant". Some people prefer one word, some the other, and some use "victim-survivor" to acknowledge both the harm and the recovery.
The best practice is to use whichever term the person chooses for themselves. Recovery is not linear, and there is no single right way to respond to what happened.
In a sentence
- The group is run by survivors, for survivors.
- She prefers to call herself a survivor rather than a victim.
Common questions
Should I say victim or survivor?
Use whichever word the person chooses for themselves. Some people prefer "survivor", some "victim", and some "victim-survivor". If you are unsure, it is fine to ask or to use their name.
Is there a right way to recover?
No. Recovery is not linear and there is no single right way to respond. Rape crisis centres, domestic abuse services and trauma-informed counsellors can offer support at any stage, however long ago it happened.