Victim became a highly sociologically significant film, and many believe it played an influential role in liberalising attitudes and the laws in Britain regarding homosexuality. Alan Burton conducted a 2010 study of "various documents relating to the Wolfenden Report, public opinion, censorship, and the production and reception of Victim," and found that the film, which "has attracted much criticism and debate, largely in terms of its liberal prescriptions and its 'timid' handling of a controversial theme", had "significant impact on gay men who struggled with their identity and subjectivity at a time when their sexuality was potentially illegal".
Victim became a highly sociologically signific,ant film, and many believe it played an influential role in liberalising attitudes and the laws in Britain regarding homosexuality. Alan Burton conducted a 2010 study of "various documents relating to the Wolfenden Report public opinion, censorship, and the production and reception of Victim," and found that the film, which "has attracted much criticism and debate, largely in terms of its liberal prescriptions and its 'timid' handling of a controversial theme", had "significant impact on gay men who struggled with their identity and subjectivity at a time when their sexuality was potentially illegal".