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 and support services available to assist towards recovery.

Many crime victims want to understand why this happened, and more specifically why it happened to them. Some victims may know the perpetrator who victimized them, while others may not, or may never know who caused them harm. Regardless of the victim’s relationship to the perpetrator the effects of the harm can be complex and difficult to understand.

Navigating the criminal justice system

In addition to the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial impacts of crime, crime victims are also burdened with navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system. Although crime victims are afforded rights to assure them fairness, dignity, and respect throughout the criminal justice system, the criminal justice system is centered around the constitutionally afforded rights of the defendant. Subsequently, many crime victims and survivors find the system to be adversarial (for example the weight of defendant’s rights verses the rights of a crime victim) and re-traumatizing. Our office is committed to treating victims with fairness and respect by acknowledging victim agency, and autonomy, while working towards a criminal justice system that better values and respects victim’s voice. We strive to do this by clearly communicating what the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) can and cannot do within the scope of our role and identifying services and supports in the system and within the community.

Learn more about the criminal justice process

Understanding trauma

Trauma is exposure to an event or a series of events that is frightening, dangerous, or violent and poses a threat to one’s life or physical and emotional safety. Exposure to traumatic events can have lasting impacts on an individual’s functioning and their mental, physical, social, emotional and/or spiritual well-being. Trauma is defined by the individual, and both the physical and psychological reactions demonstrate how trauma may be impacting their well-being.

To learn more about trauma visit:

• SAMHSA: Trauma and Violence
• Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
• National Institute of Mental Health

Potential trauma reactions and victimization

All victims react and respond differently to trauma and harm. All reactions, responses, and impacts to trauma and harm are unique to the individual experiencing it. Trauma also prompts reactions that are often beyond any individual’s control.

Below are some potential reactions and impacts experienced and shared by crime victims. This list is not exhaustive, and your experience may not be described here, however, that does not mean that your experience is invalid. If you are experiencing 1 or more of these reactions, there may be resources available to support you. Please visit our community contacts page for assistance.

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