Victimise

To treat someone unfairly or cruelly, often by making them the target of abuse, discrimination, or persecution. Victimisation can manifest in various forms, from subtle acts of exclusion and bullying to more overt acts of violence or oppression. It involves making someone suffer or be disadvantaged due to their identity, beliefs, actions, or association with a particular group. The act of victimisation often involves a power imbalance, where the perpetrator holds a position of authority or strength over the victim. This can create a climate of fear and intimidation, leaving the victim feeling vulnerable and helpless. It’s about causing harm, suffering, or disadvantage as a consequence of another's actions or beliefs, and the action may or may not involve physical confrontation. The term applies to both individuals and groups. It suggests an ongoing process of unfair treatment.

Victimise meaning with examples

• The new company policy, which targeted employees based on their union membership, was criticised for victimising dedicated workers. Many felt it deliberately undermined those trying to improve their conditions, showing a blatant disregard for fairness and respect. The HR department was flooded with complaints, as morale plummeted amongst the workforce because of the policy's divisive intent, designed to divide the staff.
• During the investigation, the police discovered the school bully had been victimising younger students, demanding their lunch money and threatening them. They had isolated a few particular children regularly and threatened them, creating a constant state of fear. The school took immediate action, suspending the offender and initiating counselling for both the perpetrator and the victims in order to begin rebuilding trust.
• The minority group reported feeling victimised by the discriminatory hiring practices of the local council. They felt that their applications were routinely overlooked, creating a sense of injustice within the community, fostering resentment towards the established power structure. Protests and petitions demanded a fair chance. Eventually, the council was forced to change the process.
• Some argue that in the current political climate, the media tends to victimise specific groups of people based on their background, presenting one-sided narratives and failing to explore the complexities of issues. There is often an emotional intent to these stories, with the reporters pushing particular narratives that support their own biases. This practice is often found in certain forms of journalism.