The Pave Project Report - Queen's University Belfast

The PAVE Project Report 15
may be some benefits of victimisation such as sympathy, attention, validation and
credit, assistance, support, or financial compensation, yet these seemingly beneficial
aspects of the victim label can cause additional difficulties in relation to
disempowering those who experienced violence, leading to learned helplessness
(Seligman, 1991) and thus preventing healing. In societies that are deeply divided
such as Northern Ireland, the whole issue becomes particularly convoluted.
Undoubtedly, the question of whether people who experienced violence are victims or
survivors is a complex one. Ultimately, societies and communities, based on their
own vision of the world, determine who deserves to claim the status of victim and
who does not; sometimes labelling people as victims, who do not see themselves as
victim or who do not want to be identified as such. The term victim clearly represents
a certain pre-conceived idea of what happened to a person, how much of this they
brought onto themselves, and how a person is coping in adverse circumstances.
However, there are many more implications. In Northern Ireland, unless someone is
regarded as legitimate or innocent victim they cannot ask for financial help or
compensation. To-date, there are no survivor benefits. Therefore, definitions are
vigorously contested by individuals, groups, and Northern Irish society as a whole,
each constructing their own meaning. Moreover, definitions are contingent upon the
political landscape and thus change constantly, making the whole picture much more
complex.
While the categorisation as victim or survivor is still very much subject of political
debate and personal opinions, those severely affected by violence in Northern Ireland