Even though a victim may by physically harmed or personal unlawfully taken in a criminal act, nonetheless the crime itself is an offense against the state. The person against whom the crime was committed is not the plaintiff but is only a witness in the trial of the accused. This is not to say that the victim has not right of action against the criminal. The victim may, either before or after the state brings the criminal action to trial, bring a separate civil suit for damages against the person who committed the offense. ( Lyden 1985:13)