Understanding the International Criminal Court

69. Who is considered a “victim” before the ICC?

Victims are individuals who have suffered harm as a result of the commission of any crime within the

jurisdiction of the ICC. Victims may also include organisations or institutions that have sustained harm

to any of their property which is dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes.

The judges of the ICC determine the types of harm to be taken into account, such as bodily harm,

psychological harm, that is, where a person’s mind has been affected by what he or she has experienced

or witnessed, or material harm, which consists of loss of or damage to goods or property.