fornærmede

Fornærmede is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to designate the person who has suffered harm or offense as a result of a crime—the victim or complainant in a case. The word stems from the verb fornærme, meaning to insult or injure, and the noun form denotes the party who has been offended.

In criminal proceedings, the fornærmede is a central participant. The state prosecutes the offender, but the fornærmede may have rights to be informed about the case, to be heard in certain procedures, to provide testimony, and to pursue civil claims for damages or compensation in many circumstances. The precise rights and procedures vary by jurisdiction and case type, but the aim is to protect the victim’s welfare and ensure access to appropriate remedies.

Beyond formal law, fornærmede is also used in everyday language to refer to someone who feels insulted or harmed by another’s words or actions, such as in defamation or insult contexts. In media and official reports, the term is used to identify the person who has filed a complaint or who is described as the harmed party.

In Nordic legal texts, the term is common in court decisions, police reports, and legal statutes. It helps distinguish the person who has suffered the offense from the accused and from other participants in the case, reflecting the victim-centered perspective often found in criminal and civil procedures.