Useful information

According to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, a natural person who experiences domestic violence or gender-based violence is referred to as a victim. (see Article 3)

In criminology, a victim is defined as the person harmed in the course of a crime. The person's rights are violated. The violation can be of various kinds: physical injury, insult, damage to property, etc..

An experiencer refers to a person who has experienced or is still experiencing violence. Unlike a victim, an experiencer might be seen as more of an active subject than an object of action.

An individual who commits a harmful or illegal act typically violates the rights, well-being, or safety of others. In the context of abuse or domestic violence, a perpetrator is someone who carries out actions that cause harm, coercion, or intimidation against another person, often within a relationship. The term is commonly used in the context of criminal or harmful behaviour, encompassing a range of actions from interpersonal offences to more systemic or organized wrongdoing.

An individual who engages in a pattern of behaviour involves mistreating, harming, or exploiting another person. In the context of interpersonal relationships, abuse can take various forms, such as physical, emotional, verbal, psychological, or financial abuse. The term "abuser" is commonly used to describe someone who exercises control, power, or dominance over another, often causing physical, emotional, or mental distress to the victim. Recognizing and addressing abusive behaviour is crucial for the future well-being and safety of those affected.

A person who has experienced violence and survived it. It can be one's own experience of self or how others see a person.

In this context a human trafficker. A person who by force, fraud or coercion exploits another person or people, often for profit. It is a serious violation of human rights.

Refers to experiences or events causing intense physical or emotional distress, overwhelming an individual's coping mechanisms, and potentially leaving a lasting psychological impact.

Psychological trauma (mental trauma) is an emotional response caused by severe distressing events that are outside the normal range of human experiences, often overwhelming one's ability to cope. It can lead to lasting effects, impacting mental health and daily functioning.

Any type of intentional harm or violence between individuals or communities. It can happen between strangers or people who know each other and it's done by a group of people or an individual. Interpersonal violence includes domestic violence, intimate partner violence, honour-related violence, community violence (e.g. school shootings, street violence, gang fights, cults), work place violence, gender-based violence and school bullying.

A pattern of abusive behaviours, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, coercive control, or threats. Violence is used to gain control over an intimate partner or family member, creating fear and harm and a cycle of power and dominance.

Domestic violence or abuse is usually used as a term to refer to violence within a family and intimate partner violence towards a current or former romantic partner.

Violence that occurs in a relationship, former relationship, marriage or registered civil partnership, romantic or dating relationship. Violence can be mental, physical, financial, digital, sexual violence, persecution, coercive control or threats. Violence creates fear and seriously harms the victim and their children.

Gender-based violence refers to harmful actions targeting individuals based on their gender, often rooted in unequal power dynamics. It includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, coercion or control, perpetuating discrimination and posing a significant threat to the well-being of those affected.

For the purpose of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, „gender-based violence against women” shall mean violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately“. (see Article 3)