Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a secondary victim of a crime?

1. The perpetrator

2. The direct victim

3. The victim’s family

4. The police officer

The correct answer is: The victim’s family

A secondary victim of a crime is someone who, while not directly affected by the crime, experiences emotional, psychological, or social consequences as a result of the event. This definition encompasses individuals who suffer due to their relationship with the primary victim or from witnessing the aftermath of the crime. In this context, the victim's family aligns with the concept of a secondary victim because they often experience significant emotional distress and disruption in their lives following a crime committed against their loved one. This can include feelings of grief, anxiety, and emotional trauma, recognizing that while they were not the targets of the crime directly, they are deeply impacted by its consequences. Other options may play roles in the crime but do not fall under the same definition of a secondary victim. For example, the perpetrator is the one committing the crime and thus is not considered a victim at all. The direct victim is the individual who is directly harmed or affected by the crime. The police officer, while they may be impacted by the events of a crime they respond to, typically function in a role designed to mitigate the situation and therefore do not embody the characteristics of a secondary victim in the psychological sense.