I was a victim of crime

Who is a victim of crime?

A victim is someone who has suffered harm or economic loss because of a crime. Harm can be something that others can see or measure. For example, physical harm or a loss of your money or possessions. Harm can sometimes be difficult for others to see or measure. For example, emotional or psychological harm that impacts your mental health. Am I still the victim of crime if: 1. A family member died as the result of a crime? Yes. You are a victim of crime if your family member has died because of a crime. 2. The person who committed the crime is: not identified not brought to the courts, or found not guilty at their trial? Yes. You are still entitled to all of the rights explained on this website. 3. I don’t make a criminal complaint? Yes. You are still a victim of crime: if you don’t make a criminal complaint if you decide you wish to withdraw your complaint if the police or prosecution decide not to continue with your complaint at any point  

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The effect crime can have on victims

A crime can have a range of physical, psychological and economic effects on a victim. What is trauma? If you are the victim of a crime, it can have a very strong emotional and psychological effect on you. Trauma is how a person responds to a distressing experience like this. What is Post-traumatic stress disorder or “PTSD”? If you have been the victim of a stressful, frightening or distressing event like a crime, you might experience this. PTSD can cause you to relive the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks. It can have a serious effect on your mental health. Trauma or PTSD may result from a single crime. Complex trauma or complex PTSD may result from a series of traumatic events or crimes that took place over a long period of time, like months or years. Reactions to trauma vary from person to person and can last for hours, days, weeks, months or years. You may experience a combination of emotions and thoughts that are difficult to deal with due to the trauma of being a victim of a crime. Even though these emotions are completely normal, you may feel that you are not coping or that you are losing control, which can be quite frightening. It is important to understand that this type of reaction is normal and there is no one way that you ‘should’ feel or react. Some useful tips for victims of crime: Talk about how you feel Try to explain what happened and what impact it has had on you to those who are close to you. You might find it stressful to talk about it, but it may help if you talk to someone you trust. Talking can also make your friends and family realise what you have been through and they may respond to you in a more understanding and sensitive manner.   Contact a support organisation You can get help free of charge. Support organisations will keep information about you and the crime confidential. Even if you don’t want to report a crime, you can still access these supports for free. If you would rather talk to someone outside your family or friends, it is a good idea to get professional help. You can find details of support organisations on this website under Support Services. Remember: Try to remember that the impact of the stress and strain you feel will ease over time. In most cases, people who were victims of crime recover and return to their normal lives.  

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