How is a victim defined?

• A. Anyone who witnesses the offense
• B. Anyone who has suffered direct physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result of an offense
• C. Only direct physical victims
• D. Only those who report the offense to authorities

Answer: (B)

In this context, the defining idea is who counts as a victim for purposes of military justice. A victim is someone who has suffered direct harm—physical, emotional, or financial—as a result of the offense. This broad view recognizes that harms caused by criminal acts aren’t limited to physical injuries; emotional distress and financial losses are real, actionable harms that the justice system aims to address and remedy.

That’s why this definition best fits typical victim protections and rights: it includes someone who experienced emotional trauma or financial damage, not just someone who was physically injured. It also aligns with the idea that mere witnessing the offense or simply reporting it does not itself make someone a victim. A witness might be harmed indirectly or not at all, and reporting the offense doesn’t determine victim status. Limiting victims to those with only direct physical harm excludes a sizable group who suffered substantial emotional or financial harm.