revictimize
Wound once more
To revictimize is to make someone a victim again—subjecting them to further harm, trauma, or mistreatment after an initial victimization.
The term often appears in discussions of institutional failures: Survivors say the legal process revictimized them.
A poorly handled investigation or insensitive questioning can revictimize someone who has already suffered assault or abuse.
Cause repeated emotional harm
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- triggersCauses or activates
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- relivingMentally revisiting past events
panic attacks · survivor · emotional pain · helplessness · powerlessness · fear · anxiety · wounds
Selfish use of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- assaultViolent offensive act
predator · abuser · molestation · oppression · torment · violation · harm · injury
Act of redoing
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- perpetuationMaking something endure
- continuationAct of proceeding further
entrapment · chronic · relapse · reoffend · habitual · persistent · recurring · escalation
Easily influenced or harmed
- at-riskSubject to potential harm
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- exposedOut in open
helpless · exploitable · endangered · marginalized · underserved · disenfranchised · isolated · dependent
Opposing party questions witness
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
defendant · witness · evidence · interrogation · deposition · disclosure · reporting · recount
retraumatize
Cause repeated emotional harm
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- triggersCauses or activates
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
reliving · panic attacks · survivor · emotional pain · helplessness · powerlessness · fear · anxiety · wounds · healing
exploitation
Selfish use of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
assault · predator · abuser · molestation · oppression · torment · violation · harm · injury · aggression
repetition
Act of redoing
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- perpetuationMaking something endure
continuation · entrapment · chronic · relapse · reoffend · habitual · persistent · recurring · escalation · intergenerational
susceptible
Easily influenced or harmed
- at-riskSubject to potential harm
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- defenselessWithout means to resist
exposed · helpless · exploitable · endangered · marginalized · underserved · disenfranchised · isolated · dependent · disempowered
cross-examination
Opposing party questions witness
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
prosecution · defendant · witness · evidence · interrogation · deposition · disclosure · reporting · recount · statement