noun

sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

the victims should be treated with compassion

pity,sympathy,feeling,fellow feeling,empathy,understanding,care,concern,solicitude,solicitousness,sensitivity,tender-heartedness,soft-heartedness,warm-heartedness,warmth,love,brotherly love,tenderness,gentleness,mercy,mercifulness,leniency,lenience,tolerance,consideration,kindness,humanity,humaneness,kind-heartedness,charity,benevolence