What is vigilantism?

Vigilantism refers to actions taken by individuals or groups who take the law into their own hands, often in response to perceived failures in the formal justice system. These self-established individuals operate outside the legal framework, believing they are enforcing justice or protecting their community. This concept emphasizes a lack of official sanction and the idea that vigilantes believe their actions are justified due to the belief that the established legal system has failed to address certain issues, such as crime or injustice in their communities.

In this context, choices that relate to authorized law enforcement, legal proceedings supported by the government, or official crime prevention strategies do not accurately capture the essence of vigilantism, which is characterized by individual or group actions taken without legal authority.