Revictimization
The process by which victims of crime suffer additional harm or trauma due to actions or inactions during the legal process or recovery.
Definition
Revictimization, also known as secondary victimization, refers to the additional psychological, emotional, or social harm experienced by a victim of a crime, especially sexual offenses, when interacting with the criminal justice system, healthcare providers, media, or other societal institutions. This can manifest through insensitive questioning, disbelief, blame, lack of support, or exposure to traumatic details, exacerbating the initial trauma and hindering recovery. Law No. 21,523 specifically aims to prevent this by establishing protocols and duties for state actors and media to ensure dignified treatment and protection of victims.