The terms "victims" and "survivors" are often used interchangeably but may also apply in different contexts or serve different purposes. [1]

The term Victim is commonly used in legal contexts, for example in judicial proceedings, to grant a specific status that confers rights under the law. The term "survivor" is often used to refer to a person who has experienced violence and/or who is going through a process of recovery, as well as when discussing the short- and long-term consequences of sexual violence.

There is no universal rule for determining whether the term "survivor" or "victim" should be used to refer to individuals who have experienced sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Some individuals do not identify with either term. It is therefore always best to consult people about their preferred terminology and to respect their choice, unless a specific situation requires the use of one term or the other, such as in the case of criminal justice bodies and proceedings, as noted above.