What’s your preferred identifier? Victim, survivor, warrior? All or none of the above? Let’s unpack the definitions. First, victim. This word gives me chills
victim • one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions ; one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment
This is often the term we see in the news. The victim. When someone gave me this identity, I felt powerless. I felt awful. I didn’t want to claim it. Whether it was law enforcement on a police report or a friend, something about it felt untrue to my identity. Sure, I was struggling. Someone attacked me. Really, really hurt me. But a victim? No. That can’t be me. That’s what they call those people who are discovered in Dateline. Mine weren’t that severe. That’s just not me. A victim is a word, a label society places on us. It feels all-encompassing, finite. But it does not define you. You get to decide how you want to be identified. To me, I’m a survivor (hence our name here @survivorsovercomingsilence).
survivor • a person who survives ; a person who copes well with difficulties in life.
People took so much from me, but I didn’t let that stop me in the end. I rose. I’ve also used the term warrior to identify.
warrior • a person engaged in some conflict or struggle ; a brave or experienced fighter or soldier
I also know that I became a warrior and I now live to tell the tale. To me, victim is a perception from others & warrior or survivor is more of a perception within ourselves. However, you decide how you want to be identified and perceived. So, I want to know. How do you like to be referred as when discussing trauma? Share in the comments with which you prefer