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Crime victimization and trauma
Crime victimization
Becoming a victim of a crime can be a very difficult, disturbing, and stressful experience. Victimization is largely unexpected and traumatic, and not within the realm of control of the victim to prevent. Anyone can become a victim of a crime. It is violating, demoralizing, and in many ways debilitating for many who have suffered victimization. Though most humans are naturally resilient and can identify ways to cope and find ways to adjust, for many crime victims the effects of victimization can often be long term and difficult to overcome. Please know there are
Navigating the criminal justice system
Understanding trauma
Potential trauma reactions and victimization
Potential impacts
Tips for coping with trauma
Learning effective strategies to cope with trauma can sometimes be challenging – and for many takes time and practice. It is not easy to work through trauma and may be difficult to do alone. Identifying a mental health professional can help. A mental health professional can assist you in identifying ways to learn to cope and process the trauma you may be experiencing. Additionally, some self-help strategies might also be affective.
Below is a list of ideas that may help:
- Talk with others about how you feel. Avoiding isolation can support healing.
- Identifying ways to calm or ground yourself when you feel symptoms.
- Try meditation and breathing apps
- Physical activities: walking, yoga, running, gardening
- Take breaks
- Care for your body
- Get plenty of sleep
- Eat a healthy diet
- Drink plenty of water
- Work towards getting back to a regular/daily routine
- Avoid using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco
- Get involved in your community – volunteer
- Take it a day (and a moment) at a time
- Journal
- Reach out for help
Resources:
- HelpGuide.org: How to Cope with Traumatic Events
- National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI): 7 Tools for Managing Traumatic Stress
- American Psychological Association: How to cope with traumatic stress
- National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center: Managing Distress (885KB)
- National Sleep Foundation: Trauma and Sleep (286KB)
- US Dept. of Veterans Affairs – National Center for PTSD: Coping with Traumatic Stress Reactions
Children and trauma
Although trauma can occur at any age, exposure to trauma as a child can have lasting impacts on their health and well-being. Research has shown that exposure to trauma as a child can adversely impact a child’s brain development and increase their risk for long-term health consequences. However, research has also shown effective that through effective interventions and therapeutic supports, children are resilient and can recover.
To learn more about trauma with children visit
- SAMHSA: Understanding Child Trauma
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Child Mind Institute: Multilingual Trauma Resources
- Children’s Justice Center of King County
Tips for children coping with trauma
Trauma and victimization can be especially difficult for children and teenagers to cope with. Parents and caregivers play an important role in the recovery process.
Recommended resources: