The discussion focuses on four models of causation (scientific, social, environmental, and legal) and outlines the main literature, current thinking, associated difficulties, and possible developments within a victim perspective. It defines environmental victims as persons of past, present, or future generations who are injured as a consequence of change to the chemical, physical, microbiological, or psychosocial environment, brought about by deliberate or reckless individual or collective human act or act of omission. The analysis also considers issues related to the status of the unborn victim, burdens of proof, and laws that diminish victims' rights. It concludes by proposing crucial principles to ensure the security of individual and collective intellectual capital through national and international law, based on the United Nations declaration on victims of abuse of power in 1985. Figures and 80 references