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Understanding browser history, cache, and cookies

Data about what you do on the internet is stored in your browser history, cache, and cookies.

Browser History: a log of the web pages you’ve visited

Cache: temporary files containing web pages and their assets that are locally stored on your device to increase the loading speed of frequently visited pages 

Cookies: small data files of information saved on your device that help websites remember information about your web activity

Quickly clearing browser history, cache, and cookies

To quickly clear browser history on a desktop:

Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac)

Safari: Choose History > Clear History and Website Data”

Clearing browser history, cache, and cookies on a desktop

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three dots at the top right, then select Delete browsing data.
3. Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
4. Select the types of information you want to remove.
5. Click Delete Data

Firefox

1. Click the menu button (three lines) to open the menu panel.
2. Click History and select Clear Recent History
3. Select how much history you want to clear:
   1. Click the drop-down menu next to When: to choose how much of your history Firefox will clear.
4. Use the checkboxes to select what information you want to clear from your history. 
5. Click the Clear button and the window will close 

Remove a single website

1. Click the menu button (three lines) to open the menu panel.
2. Click History and select Manage History
3. Search for the website you want to remove from your history by typing its name in the Search History field and then pressing the enter (return) key on your keyboard
4. Then, in the search results, hold down the Ctrl key while you click on the site you want to remove, and select Forget About This Site.

Microsoft Edge

1. Decide if you want to delete the data only on the device you’re currently using, or across all synced devices.
   1. To clear browsing data just on the device you’re currently using: sync should be turned off. 
   2. To clear browsing data on all synced devices: sync should be turned on and you should be logged in
2. Select Settings and more, select Settings, select Privacy, search, and services .
3. Under Delete browsing data select Clear browsing data now, select Choose what to clear.
4. Under Time range, choose a time range from the drop-down menu.
5. Choose the types of browsing data you want to clear
6. Select Clear now

Safari

Clearing Browsing History 

1. Go to the Safari app on your Mac.
2. Choose History and select Clear History, then click the pop-up menu.
3. Choose how far back you want your browsing history cleared.

Clearing Cookies and Cache

1. Go to the Safari app on your Mac.
2. Choose Safari and select Settings, then click Privacy.
3. Click Manage Website Data.
4. Select one or more websites, then click Remove or Remove All.

Clearing browser history, cache, and cookies on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome 
2. Select More (three dots), select Delete Browsing Data.
3. A popup window will appear where you can set a duration and select the browsing data you want to delete.
   1. Next to Time Range, select a duration. The default time range duration is 15 minutes.
   2. To select specific data you want to delete:
      1. Select Browsing Data.
      2. Select the types of browsing data you want to delete.
      3. Select Confirm.
4. Select Delete Browsing Data.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox
2. Select the Menu button (three lines)
3. Select History, then select the Trash button
4. Select the time frame 

Microsoft Edge

1. Select the Menu (three dots), select Settings
2. Select Privacy select Clear browsing data.

Safari

1. Go to Settings, select Apps, select Safari.
2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

To remove a single website

1. Open the Safari app.
2. Select the Show Bookmarks button, select the History button
3. Select the Edit button, then select the website or websites that you want to delete from your history.
4. Select the Delete button.

Clearing browser history, cache, and cookies on an Android device

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome 
2. Select More (three dots), select Delete Browsing Data.
3. Set a duration and select the browsing data you want to delete.
4. Next to Time Range, select a duration. The default time range duration is 15 minutes.
   1. To select specific data you want to delete:
      1. Select More Options.
      2. Select the types of browsing data you want to delete.
      3. Select Delete Data.
5. Select Delete Browsing Data.

Firefox

5. Open Firefox
6. Select the Menu (lines), select Settings
7. Select Clear browsing data
8. Select what type of data to clear
9. Select the Clear data button

Microsoft Edge

1. Select the Menu (three dots), select Settings
2. Select Privacy select Clear browsing data
3. Select the types of browsing data you’d like to delete
4. Select Clear

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Understanding Systemic Racism

Systemic racism refers to the policies, practices, and norms within societal institutions that perpetuate racial inequality and discrimination. Unlike individual racism, which involves personal prejudice, systemic racism operates on a larger scale, impacting communities through socioeconomic inequities, discriminatory laws, and cultural biases. 

For instance, Black survivors may hesitate to report sexual violence due to a well-founded mistrust of law enforcement, rooted in the historical over-policing of Black communities and under-protection of Black women. When Black survivors do report, they are less likely to have their cases taken seriously or pursued aggressively by authorities. Research shows that Black survivors are more likely to encounter skepticism or be stereotyped as “promiscuous” or “angry,” which undermines their credibility in the eyes of law enforcement, medical personnel, and even service providers.

A real-life example of systemic racism influencing sexual violence reporting and access to resources is the case of Daniel Holtzclaw, a former police officer in Oklahoma City. In 2015, Holtzclaw was convicted of sexually assaulting multiple Black women while on duty, specifically targeting them because of their race, socioeconomic status, and criminal history. Holtzclaw preyed on Black women from poor neighborhoods, many of whom had criminal records or histories of substance abuse. He exploited societal stereotypes that made it less likely for these women to be believed if they reported the assaults. This reflects how systemic racism and societal biases enable predators to target marginalized groups. 

Another example of a perpetrator who uses systematic racism to target his victim-survivors is in the case of R. Kelly. Many of the women who came forward to report sexual abuse were Black and faced significant hurdles in being believed or receiving justice. Advocates have pointed out how societal stereotypes about Black women—such as the “strong Black woman” trope or perceptions of hypersexuality—have contributed to delays in holding perpetrators accountable and addressing the survivors’ needs.

Barriers to Reporting

Mistrust in Systems

A significant barrier for victim-survivors of color is the fear that they will not be believed or taken seriously by law enforcement.²  Historical injustices, such as police brutality, racial profiling, and neglect towards communities of color, further exacerbate these fears. Survivors may worry that their cases will be mishandled, that they will face additional discrimination due to their race, or that their interactions with the system will cause more harm than good.

This mistrust is not limited to law enforcement; it extends to the medical and healthcare systems as well. Historical medical abuses, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study⁶ and the forced sterilization of women of color,⁷ have created deep-seated mistrust among marginalized communities. Survivors of color may fear that seeking medical attention after an assault could result in substandard care, exploitation, or further trauma. For example, they might worry that their injuries will not be taken seriously, that they will not be informed about their medical options, or that they will face invasive questioning rooted in racial biases.

Limited Access to Resources

Access to support services, such as counseling and legal assistance, can be limited for people of color. Many victim-survivors find that resources within their communities are inadequate, underfunded, and culturally insensitive. Language barriers, stigma, and cultural taboos surrounding sexual violence can also prevent individuals from seeking help.³ Further, systemic issues such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare can compound these challenges, leaving victim-survivors without critical support.^3-4 Seeking therapy can play a crucial role in providing victim-survivors with the tools to navigate their trauma, build resilience, and regain a sense of control; however, access to culturally competent and affordable mental health services remains a significant challenge for many marginalized communities. Additionally, rape crisis centers or counseling services in predominantly Black or underserved neighborhoods may be underfunded, understaffed, or inaccessible due to transportation and financial barriers. These systemic inequities compound the trauma experienced by Black survivors and perpetuate cycles of marginalization and silence around sexual violence in communities of color.

Cultural Competency in Support Services

Another barrier arises from the lack of cultural competency in support services. Many institutions, including hospitals and shelters, may not fully understand the cultural context or specific needs of survivors from diverse backgrounds.³ This lack of understanding can result in victim-blaming, insensitivity, or a failure to address the unique experiences of survivors of color. Such experiences can discourage individuals from pursuing the help they need, further perpetuating a cycle of trauma.⁴

Intersectionality and Victimization

The intersectionality of race and gender plays a crucial role in the experience of sexual violence. Women of color, for example, face compounded discrimination based on both race and gender, which can heighten their vulnerability to sexual violence.⁵  Further, studies show that trans folks, particularly those who are Black and transgender, are more likely to face physical and sexual violence compared to their white cisgender counterparts. This violence is often compounded by societal attitudes that marginalize trans bodies, making them targets for exploitation.⁷

Addressing the systemic barriers to support for victim-survivors of sexual violence is essential. Systemic racism not only perpetuates the occurrence of sexual violence but also creates significant barriers to support victim-survivors from marginalized communities. By acknowledging these barriers and working towards solutions to mitigate barriers, we can take meaningful steps to ensure that all victim-survivors have access to the resources and support they need to heal and seek justice. Addressing these systemic issues is a matter of equity and equality for marginalized victim-survivors. It is crucial to challenge the narratives that silence marginalized voices and advocate for systemic change that prioritizes victim-survivors who experience systemic racism.

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If victim-blaming is incredibly harmful to survivors after sexual assault, why do people victim-blame?

Invulnerability Theory

Invulnerability theory is the theory that people blame victims in order to preserve their own sense of invulnerability. People, consciously and subconsciously, tend to view themselves as uniquely invulnerable to negative outcomes. As a result, they perceive others as having made themselves vulnerable, while they themselves are invulnerable. It is difficult to accept that everyone is vulnerable to sexual assault, because this threatens people’s sense of safety in the world. Life feels more manageable when people believe the victim is to blame.

Preserving The Assumptive World

The assumptive world refers to a strongly held set of assumptions about the world and oneself that is built throughout life, which is strongly maintained and used as the foundation for the ways through which people navigate life. It provides a sense of safety, stability, and security. When the assumptive world shatters, people become disoriented and may feel like everything has shifted. When people are able to navigate through life believing that they have the ability to prevent getting sexually assaulted, they are rarely willing to challenge that belief because it provides them so much security.

The Fundamental Attribution Error

The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias in which people wrongly attribute the outcome of a situation to someone’s character flaws and not external or situational factors. It is the belief that dispositional factors play a larger role in interactions than situational factors do. When people victim-blame survivors of sexual violence, they do so to maintain the belief that individuals have more control over their lives than they truly do, and that failing to prevent sexual assault is due to a character flaw. 

Victim-blaming often happens because believing that individuals have more control over what happens to them than they do makes the world feel safer and more predictable. To accept that anything can happen to anyone at any time makes life feel unpredictable and unstable, so people try to find ways to blame the victim to feel as though they can prevent bad things from happening to themselves.

The Hindsight Bias

The hindsight bias refers to the tendency to view things as more predictable than they actually are. After people see the outcome of a situation, they believe that they could have predicted the outcome before it actually happened. When it comes to sexual assault, people believe they could have predicted that the assault would have happened due to a range of situational and individual factors influenced by rape myths.

Just-World Phenomenon

The just-world phenomenon refers to the belief that that world is just and people “get what they deserve.” Victim-blaming can happen when people believe the survivor must have done something to deserve or invite the assault. In reality, no one ever deserves to be sexually assaulted. The just-world is an idealistic myth that makes life easier to cope with than accepting that bad things happen all the time to undeserving people for no reason.

Perpetrator Loyalty

The role the perpetrator has played in their lives is another reason why people may victim-blame survivors. Many people wrongfully assume that the way they are treated by a person is the same way that person treats everyone else they encounter. As a result, they may try to come up with reasons to justify the assault and instead shift blame onto the survivor. 

Only 19.5% of survivors are sexually assaulted by someone they don’t know. If someone knows a survivor, it’s possible that they also know the person who perpetrated the assault. When the perpetrator is a close friend or family member, people may be unwilling to accept that this person is capable of committing sexual assault. Many people denounce individuals who committ sexual assault, but when they view their relationship with the perpetrator as valuable, they may be unwilling to end the relationship and instead shift the blame onto the survivor. 

Disliking The Survivor

On the other hand, people may not support the survivor based on previous experiences with them. They may dislike the survivor for unrelated reasons or not view the survivor as trustworthy because they’ve lied in the past. Whether or not we like someone doesn’t determine if something bad can happen to them. The perfect victim myth tells us that, in order to deserve support, survivors need to be “good” and likable people, who are sympathetic in all aspects of their lives. In reality, bad things can happen to bad people, and just because we perceive them as a “bad” person doesn’t mean they deserved or caused the abuse they experienced. Additionally, someone can lie about one thing and tell the truth about another. We shouldn’t base our support of survivors on our personal feelings about someone, and we can stand behind someone as a survivor without vouching for everything they’ve done in all other aspects of their lives.

Victim-blaming is never justified and it is the most harmful way to respond when someone discloses that they have been sexually assaulted. The way people respond when a survivor discloses can greatly influence the survivor’s ability to heal.

Sources

1. Reich, C. M., Pegel, G. A., & Johnson, A. B. (2022). Are Survivors of Sexual Assault Blamed More Than Victims of Other Crimes?. Journal of interpersonal violence, 37(19-20), NP18394–NP18416. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211037423
2. de la Torre Laso, J., & Rodríguez-Díaz, J. M. (2022). The relationship between attribution of blame and the perception of resistance in relation to victims of sexual violence. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 868793. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.868793
3. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-2016 (2017).

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The concept of the bystander effect ¹ was popularized by social psychologists in 1964 following the infamous murder of Kitty Genovese. Kitty was brutally attacked outside her apartment in New York City. It was reported that dozens of neighbors either witnessed the attack or heard her cries for help, yet no one came to her rescue or called the police.

But, why did neighbors fail to take action? 

The bystander effect is attributed to two primary factors: diffusion of responsibility and social influence. ² Diffusion of responsibility is the phenomenon that occurs when multiple people are present during an emergency. Each individual assumes someone else will take action, leading to a decreased sense of responsibility. The more bystanders present, the less likely any one person will feel compelled to intervene. Social influence refers to how people tend to look to others in a group for cues on how to behave. If no one is helping, people are often to interpret this as a signal that action is not needed.

In the case of Kitty, neighbors assumed that in a busy city, someone else is likely to intervene, therefore there is no need for them to intervene. Being in a busy city with many bystanders acts as a situational factor that amplifies the bystander effect. There are several situational factors that amplify bystander behavior, making it less likely for people to help during an emergency like the number of bystanders, ² ambiguity of the situation, and the relationship between the victim and bystander. ³ The more people present leads to a greater diffusion of responsibility, reducing the likelihood of intervention. Additionally, people fear misinterpreting the situation and facing consequences or embarrassment for intervening. The more unclear the emergency is, the less likely people are to intervene. However, the bystander is more likely to help if they know the victim. The perceived connection to the victim can significantly influence the decision to act. 

Specific Challenges in Cases of Sexual Assault ⁴

Research shows that in situations involving sexual assault, certain factors further complicate the likelihood of bystander intervention. These challenges are multifaceted and deeply rooted in societal attitudes and individual perceptions. 

Gender and Sexist Attitudes

Those who are male or hold sexist attitudes are statistically less likely to intervene in cases of sexual assault. For example, at a nightclub a male patron sees another male aggressively dancing with a woman who appears uncomfortable. The male patron dismisses it, thinking she might “be asking for it” because of her choice of clothing. 

Substance Use

Individuals under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol are less likely to recognize the severity of a situation or may feel less capable of intervening. Impaired judgment and reduced inhibitions can significantly hinder the likelihood of bystander intervention. For example, at a house party several people notice a stumbling highly intoxicated woman being led upstairs by a man. Those witnessing this event may fail to assess the situation appropriately because they are intoxicated or they may feel too impaired to step in. 

Norms

Cultural and social norms ² in some cases may discourage bystander intervention. For example, you often hear your neighbors fighting in the evening. The fighting may have escalated and you hear your neighbor calling out for help and screaming. Influenced by cultural norms that discourage involving yourself in others’ “private” matters, you choose to ignore the situation. 

Fear

Witnesses may fear that intervening in a sexual assault could lead to personal harm or retaliation ⁵ from the perpetrator. For example, while walking home at night, a person sees a woman being forcefully grabbed by a man in a secluded area. The witness fears that intervening could lead to physical harm and decides to leave the area. 

Victim-blaming

If a witness believes the victim-survivor did something to invite the assault, they are less likely to offer help. For example, a student in a college dorm hears a commotion in the room next door and realizes a fellow student is being sexually assaulted. However, the bystander was at a party earlier that night with the fellow student who they saw flirting and dancing with another student. The bystander assumes that the victim’s behavior at the party earlier invited the attack and decides to not report. 

Uncertain Interpretations

A bystander may hesitate to act in situations where there is uncertainty about consent. A fear of misinterpreting the situation and the potential for social or legal consequences can create a significant barrier to intervention. For example, in a group of friends you notice a couple where one person seems to be unresponsive to the other’s advances. The bystander is unsure if it’s a case of non-consensual behavior or a misunderstanding, thus they decide to not intervene, worried about causing a problem. 

Overcoming the Bystander Effect ^{5, 6}  

Understanding the bystander effect is the first step toward overcoming it. By recognizing the situational and psychological barriers that prevent actions, individuals can be better prepared to intervene in emergency situations. Training programs, public awareness campaigns, and education on bystander intervention can empower people to act decisively and help those in need, potentially saving lives.

Learn more about Bystander Intervention with our free Bystander Intervention Course on PAVE University.

Sources

1. Hudson, J. M., & Bruckman, A. S. (2004). The Bystander Effect: A Lens for Understanding Patterns of Participation. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 13(2), 165–195. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327809jls1302_2 
2. Chekroun, P., & Brauer, M. (2002). The bystander effect and social control behavior: The effect of the presence of others on people’s reactions to norm violations. European Journal of Social Psychology, 32(6), 853-867. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.126 
3. Garcia, S. M., Weaver, K., Moskowitz, G. B., & Darley, J. M. (2002). Crowded minds: The implicit bystander effect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(4), 843–853. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.83.4.843 
4. Labhardt, D., Holdsworth, E., Brown, S., & Howat, D. (2017). You see but you do not observe: A review of bystander intervention and sexual assault on university campuses. Aggression and violent behavior, 35, 13-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2017.05.005 
5. Kistler, T., Stuart, G. L., & Cornelius, T. L. (2022). Barriers to Bystander Interventions for Sexual Assault: Impact of Personal History of Sexual Victimization. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(17-18), NP16727-NP16749. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260521102349 
6. Fischer, P., Krueger, J. I., Greitemeyer, T., Vogrincic, C., Kastenmüller, A., Frey, D., Heene, M., Wicher, M., & Kainbacher, M. (2011). The bystander-effect: A meta-analytic review on bystander intervention in dangerous and non-dangerous emergencies. Psychological Bulletin, 137(4), 517–537. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023304 

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Understanding the Bystander ¹

The Bystander Effect

The bystander effect is a social phenomenon where people do not intervene in a social situation because they believe someone else will intervene. Often, the more people who witness an incident, the less likely someone will intervene. This effect can be particularly prevalent in crowded parties and events/gatherings, where the responsibility is diffused among all witnesses. There are different types of bystanders that play a critical role in determining the safety and well-being of others. 

Passive Bystanders

A passive bystander is a person who witnesses something but does not take action. They may choose to ignore the situation entirely, either out of fear, indifference, or uncertainty about what to do. For example, at a college party a student notices their peer who appears extremely intoxicated, stumbling and slurring their speech. Despite recognizing that the person might need help, the bystander decides not to intervene, thinking that someone else at the party will help them. Unfortunately, no one intervenes, and the intoxicated student ends up in a dangerous situation. 

Active Bystanders

An active bystander is anyone who takes action to prevent a harmful event or incident from escalating or continuing. Their intervention can range from directly assisting to seeking help from others. For example, out at a bar you see a woman being harassed by another person sitting at the bar. The woman looks very uncomfortable and closed off. The bystander approaches the woman and tells the woman her friend was looking for her and escorts the woman to a safe area, away from the harasser. 

Proactive/Prosocial Bystanders

Proactive/Prosocial bystanders are those who not only intervene in a potentially dangerous situation but also take steps to prevent scenarios from occurring. They work to create a safe environment and promote awareness. For example, a group of friends are going to a large festival and decide to use the buddy system and assign each friend a buddy they will stay and watch out for throughout the festival. Additionally, all the friends share their phone location with each other and the friends identify a designated meeting space to go to at the end of the festival. 

By understanding the bystander effect and promoting active, or taking proactive measures can significantly impact the outcome of a situation. Through education and awareness, people can learn to recognize the importance of taking action when necessary. This can create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone.

Learn more about Bystander Intervention with our free Bystander Intervention Course on PAVE University.

Sources

1. Hamby, S., Weber, M. C., Grych, J., & Banyard, V. (2016). What difference do bystanders make? The association of bystander involvement with victim outcomes in a community sample. Psychology of Violence, 6(1), 91–102. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039073

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Steps for Effective Bystander Intervention 

1. Recognize the Situation: It is important to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Being able to recognize when something is wrong is the first step to intervention. 
2. Assess for Safety: Ensure your safety and the safety of others. Ensure that intervening does not put you in immediate danger, if so it is best to call for help. Consider your surroundings, is there a way to intervene that reduces risk to yourself or others? Are there others around who can assist? Sometimes, intervening as a group is safer and more effective. 
3. Decide to Take Action: Make the conscious decision to step in. Remember that indifference can lead to harm when intervention can prevent it. 
4. Determine How to Help: Choose the best method for intervention. This can be direct intervention, distraction, or seeking help from others. 

Methods of Intervention

Direct Intervention

Direct intervention is where a person directly addresses the situation or the individuals involved. For example, at school a student sees another student being bullied in the hallway. They walk up to the bully and say, “Hey, that’s not cool. Leave them alone.” By confronting the bully, the bystander directly addresses the harmful behavior. Another example at a college party, someone notices a person being harassed. They approach the harasser and firmly tell them to stop, then stay with the person being harassed to ensure they are safe. 

Distraction

Create a distraction to interrupt the situation and diffuse potential harm. For example, someone notices a person being verbally harassed on the subway. The bystander drops their bag in between them and starts picking up the items, creating a distraction. The interruption gives the victim a chance to move away. Another example at a bar, a bystander sees someone putting something in another person’s drink. They go up to the person whose drink was tampered and start a conversation, giving them a reason to leave their drink and move away from the potential danger. 

Delegation

Seek help from others through delegation. Seeking help from others, such as authorities or individuals who may be in a better position to intervene. At a crowded concert someone collapses. Instead of trying to handle the situation alone, the bystander calls 911 and alerts nearby security of the situation. Another example, a student notices another student has a weapon in their backpack. Instead of intervening directly, they inform a teacher of the potential threat. 

How to Intervene

Situation 1: An employee overhears their coworker making inappropriate comments towards another coworker.

• Direct: “Those comments are inappropriate and make people uncomfortable. Please stop.”
• Distraction: Interrupt with a work-related question or task to divert the conversation.
• Delegation: Report the behavior to a supervisor or HR department.

Situation 2: Two people are arguing loudly in a park, and it looks like it might escalate into a physical fight.

• Direct: Only if it feels safe, step in and say, “Hey, can we all just calm down and talk this out?”
• Distraction: Approach and ask for directions or the time, diverting their attention from the argument.
• Delegation: Notify a park ranger or call local authorities to handle the situation.

Scenario 3: At a house party, a bystander notices someone who seems extremely drunk and is struggling to stand.

• Direct: Approach the person and offer to help them find a place to sit and get some water.
• Distraction: If someone else seems to be taking advantage of the intoxicated person, create a distraction by starting a loud conversation or announcing an activity in another room.
• Delegation: Get the party host involved or find sober friends of the intoxicated person to ensure they are taken care of.

Promoting Proactive Measures

Encouraging a culture of proactive intervention can prevent many harmful situations before they escalate. Attending workshops on bystander intervention can empower individuals with the knowledge and confidence to act. Foster a community environment where people feel responsible for each other’s safety. Promote open discussions about the importance of stepping up and how to do so safely.

Bystander intervention is a powerful tool for preventing harm and promoting safety. By understanding how to assess safety and choosing the best method of intervention whether direct, through distraction, or by delegation individuals can make a significant positive impact. Encouraging proactive behavior and providing education on effective intervention strategies can help create safer, more supportive communities.

Learn more about Bystander Intervention with our free Bystander Intervention Course on PAVE University.

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What does the “perfect victim” look like?

Basing whether or not one chooses to believe a survivor on how well they fit the perfect victim archetype is not true allyship to survivors. By holding survivors to such a high standard and withholding support, it becomes harder for survivors to speak out and get the support they deserve. Every survivor deserves support, regardless of whether or not they resemble the “perfect victim.”

Sources

1. Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., & Harps, S. (2020). AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct . https://www.aau.edu/sites/default/files/AAU-Files/Key-Issues/Campus-Safety/Revised%20Aggregate%20report%20%20and%20appendices%201-7_(01-16-2020_FINAL).pdf
2. Basile, K.C., Smith, S.G., Kresnow, M., Khatiwada S., & Leemis, R.W. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2016/2017 Report on Sexual Violence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3. Chapter 4: How the Brain Copes with Different Types of Trauma. (2024). Understanding PTSD, 27–38. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781501519857-005
4. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
5. Tapp, S., & Coen, E. (2024). National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Department of Justice.
6. National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP). (2016). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV-Affected Intimate Partner Violence in 2015. New York, NY: Emily Waters.

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When referring to people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or domestic violence, it can be difficult to know what term to use. Different words have different connotations and implications, and all people have a different relationship with what they experienced. Two of the most common terms used are “victim” and “survivor.”

Why Might Some People Dislike “Victim?”

Even though, by definition, the term victim simply means, “a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action,”¹ it carries certain connotations that people may not want to identify with. 

Assumed Helplessness

Firstly, some people associate victimhood with helplessness. Take a look at synonyms for the word “victim” and you will find words such as “sufferer,” “casualty,” “loser,” “prey,” “target,” and “fool.” Sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and domestic violence are crimes of power, and those who have been harmed by such acts may want to use a term that makes them feel that they are taking that power back, such as “survivor.” Some believe that identifying as a “victim” puts the focus on the actions of the perpetrator, while terms such as “survivor” honor the difficulties the individual harmed has endured.

Negative Perceptions of Victimhood

Secondly, identifying as a “victim” has been interpreted by many as a form of self-pity or a way to seek attention. Think of terminology like “playing the victim,” “victim mentality,” or “victimhood culture.” Shaming those who label themselves as a “victim” is another way that people victim-blame. People who have had these experiences are valid for feeling sorry for themselves because of what happened, and if they want it, these events do deserve attention because what happened is significant. Feeling sorry for oneself has negative connotations, when in reality, it is actually an important part of the healing process for them to fully acknowledge the devastation they feel after trauma. Unfortunately, as a result of these societal beliefs about victimhood, we have seen a wave of people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and domestic violence stray away from identifying as a “victim.”

Why Might Some People Prefer “Victim?”

Avoids Toxic Positivity

Identifying as a “victim” does not mean one is wallowing in self-pity to the point where their healing process is obstructed. Some people don’t like the term “survivor” because they view it as a form of toxic positivity, a “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” mentality. Some messaging in recent years has suggested that identifying as a “victim” impedes the healing process due to the word’s association with powerlessness, and identifying as a “survivor” is more empowering. 

Encouraging those who have experienced sexual violence to use an empowering label in relation to sexual violence can play into the notion that those who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence need to experience post-traumatic growth. Some may feel pressure to become better and stronger than they were before because of what they endured. Not only is this a lot to expect from someone, but healing doesn’t always mean they are “better off” than before. For some, “survivor” can imply the notion that “everything happens for a reason,” which is a very upsetting concept for many, because in reality, no one should go through these things or needs to have these experiences in order to become who they are “meant to be.” It is not bad to feel sorry for oneself after enduring violence or abuse.

Validates Victimization

Some do feel more empowered by the term “victim.” Many people who have experienced these crimes aren’t allowed to go through the process of acknowledging and grieving that they were victimized, due to the way people around them respond. It is not uncommon for others in the person’s life to tell them to move on, or to deny that they were victimized at all, having their experience completely invalidated by those who don’t believe them. For some people, identifying as a “victim” allows them to acknowledge the victimhood that so many people have not let them claim.

Why Might Some People Prefer “Survivor?”

There are also many reasons why someone may identify as a “survivor” rather than a “victim.” The term “survivor” has overall positive connotations. Take a look at synonyms for the word “survivor” and you will find terms such as “victor,” “conqueror,” “overcomer,” “fighter,” “tough-cookie,” and “vanquisher.” 

Acknowledges Strength

For some, they do feel held back by the term “victim” and want to acknowledge the power and strength it took for them to get through that experience. Sexual, domestic, and intimate partner violence can be life-threatening. Even if their life wasn’t in danger, they may have felt as though their life was over due to what happened. They may want to label themselves as a “survivor” as to say, “look, I survived that” as a testament to their resilience. 

Forward Movement

For a long time, sexual, domestic, and intimate partner violence were portrayed as traumatic events that destroy a person, that they will never be the same and will always be overcome with the negative effects the violence had on their lives. This messaging is still seen today, and it is a very demeaning and harmful way to portray anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. Some want to identify as a “survivor” to acknowledge that sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and domestic violence do not define one’s life and it is possible to lead a fulfilling life after these experiences.

Why Might Some People Dislike “Survivor?”

As mentioned above, some may not prefer the term “survivor” because it can feel toxically positive and invalidating to their victimhood. Additionally, there are other reasons why some may not like the term “survivor.” 

Not Empowering Enough

The term “survivor” isn’t necessarily about empowerment, resilience, or thriving after a trauma for everyone who identifies with it, but rather an acknowledgement that they are still here. A mentality of, “I’m not doing great, but I survived the fire and I’m chugging along.” This perspective of the term “survivor” is also why some choose to identify as “thrivers” or “warriors,” because they feel limited by the notion that they simply just survived what happened.

Excludes Those Who Are Still Being Abused

The word “survivor” implies that the abuse or violence is in the past. However, when we are talking about sexual, domestic, and intimate partner violence as a whole, it’s important to acknowledge those who are still experiencing abuse and include them in conversations and resources. Due to the associations the term has with strength and empowerment, those who are still experiencing violence may not identify with the term “survivor.”

Excludes Those Who Did Not Survive

It is devastating, but true, that some people do not survive sexual, domestic, and intimate partner violence. When we are talking about sexual, domestic, and intimate partner violence as societal issues, it’s important to acknowledge those who lost their lives due to violence and abuse.

Labels are a Personal Decision

The labels one uses for themselves may also be related to where they are in their healing process. Someone may identify as a “victim” at first, but after some time of healing they may feel like a “survivor.” Some may flip back and forth, or identify as both, which is where the term “victim-survivor” comes into play. The term “victim-survivor” has become more common in recent years and holds space for the complexities of experiencing sexual, domestic, and intimate partner violence.

Some people don’t want to use any label, and that’s okay too. Labels hold more weight for some people than others, and some may not want to connect the experience of sexual, domestic, or intimate partner violence to their identity. Those who have yet to label their experiences of sexual, domestic, or intimate partner violence as such will also not identify with labels.

At the end of the day, whatever label anyone uses to describe themselves in relation to their experience with sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and/or domestic violence is okay. There is no right or wrong way, and one term doesn’t make someone better or stronger than those who use a different term. Whether they’re a “victim,” “survivor,” “victim-survivor,” “thriver,” “warrior,” or anything else, they deserve to heal and receive support along the way. It’s always best to ask someone what label they prefer, if any at all. When referring to those who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and/or domestic violence as a collective, survivor or victim-survivor tend to be the preferred terms.

Sources

1. Oxford University Press. (n.d.). Victim. In Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/victim?q=victim

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