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Victim of Crime

Last updated on June 7, 2021

You are a victim if you have been directly or indirectly affected by a crime. You do not have to report the incident to police or be physically hurt to be considered a victim of crime. 

In some cases, the term victim may also refer to:

  • Someone whose family member or loved one has been killed or injured when a criminal activity was taking place
  • Someone who has witnessed a crime

Remember, you are not to blame for what happened to you. And you are not responsible for the behaviour of the person who has committed a crime against you.

How a Crime May Affect You

As a victim of crime, you may be affected by a crime in many ways: 

  • Emotionally – You may be emotionally hurt or feel violated, fearful or vulnerable. You may feel sad, angry and helpless and fear these emotions are affecting your life in unexpected ways.
  • Physically – You may be physically injured or experiencing physiological reactions to stress.
  • Financially –You may have loss of income or related expenses.

Everyone experiences the effects of crime differently and every reaction is normal. Help and support are available to you. Call VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808.

Understanding When a Crime Has Happened

A crime is an act that breaks a law that relates to how to behave in society. The harm caused by the act is seen to be against society as a whole, not just a person. More specifically, a crime is an act (something you do) or an omission (something you don’t do) that is against the law and is punishable upon conviction. Crime includes:

  • Criminal Code offences against a person or property
  • Drug offences
  • Motor vehicle offences
  • Offences in other provincial and federal statutes

Some crimes may be against people (for example, hitting, threatening, stalking, sexually assaulting or killing someone). Other crimes may be against property (for example, stealing someone’s car or breaking someone’s windows). To learn more, please visit:

Speak With Someone

You might not always know what has happened to you is considered a crime. If you are unsure whether you are a victim of a crime or would like to report a crime, please:

Criminal Justice Glossary

Check our alphabetical list of criminal justice terms along with their definitions.