victimless crime

vic·tim·less crime

(vĭk′tĭm-lĭs)n. An illegal act that results in no identifiable person being directly harmed.

victimless crime

(ˈvɪktɪmləs) n (Law) a type of crime, such as insurance fraud, regarded by some people as being excusable because the victim is the state or an organization, rather than an individual

vic′tim•less crime′

(ˈvɪk təm lɪs)
n. a legal offense, as prostitution or gambling, to which participating parties have consented. [1960–65]

Thesaurus

Noun

victimless crime - an act that is legally a crime but that seem to have no victims; "he considers prostitution to be a victimless crime"crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offense, offence - (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act; "a long record of crimes"

victimless crime

an act which is defined as an offence within a country's criminal law but which does not result in anyone's physical, financial or other harm. This issue came into sociological discussion in the late 1960s associated with LABELLING THEORY and the NATIONAL DEVIANCY CONFERENCE. Subsequent discussion has highlighted problems with the concept, particularly when the ‘public at large’ may be viewed as the ‘victim’ of such activities as soliciting by prostitutes or soft drug use.

victimless crime

vic·tim·less crime

victimless crime

vic′tim•less crime′

victimless crime

victimless crime

victimless crime

Words related to victimless crime

noun an act that is legally a crime but that seem to have no victims

Related Words