Who is typically referred to as a person that has experienced criminal activity?

A person who has experienced criminal activity is typically referred to as a victim of a crime. This designation applies to individuals who have suffered harm or loss as a direct result of criminal activity, whether it be physical, emotional, or financial damage. The term captures the experience of those who have been affected by the actions of others that violate the law.

In contrast, other terms such as witness, suspect, and defendant describe different roles within the context of a crime. A witness is someone who observes an event related to a crime but does not necessarily suffer from it. A suspect is an individual who is believed to have committed the crime but has not been proven guilty, and a defendant is someone who is being formally charged in a court of law.

By understanding these distinctions, it becomes clear why the term that specifically identifies someone who has been harmed by criminal activity is the victim of a crime.