Many crimes involve the use of force or violence against victims. Crime victims of all types of crime may experience trauma, such as physical damage to their bodies or emotional wounds or shock caused by the violence against them. Reactions to trauma vary from person to person and can last for hours, days, weeks, months or years. Every victim’s reaction will be different, and it is important to not use their reaction or lack thereof as a basis for judging the impact of their trauma.

Physical Trauma

Crime victims may experience physical trauma, such as serious injury or shock to the body, as from a major accident. Victims may have cuts, bruises, fractured arms or legs or internal injuries. They may have intense stress reactions. Their breathing, blood pressure and heart rate may increase, and their muscles may tighten. They may feel exhausted but unable to sleep, and they may have headaches, increased or decreased appetites or digestive problems.

Emotional Trauma

Victims may experience emotional trauma, such as emotional wounds or shocks that may have long-lasting effects. Emotional trauma may take many different forms:

• Shock or numbness: Victims may feel frozen and cut off from their own emotions. Some victims say they feel as if they are watching a movie rather than having their own experiences. Victims may not be able to make decisions or conduct their lives as they did before the crime.
• Denial, disbelief and anger: Victims may experience denial, an unconscious defense against painful or unbearable memories and feelings about the crime. They may experience disbelief, telling themselves that this could not have happened to them. They may feel intense anger and a desire to get even with the offender.
• Acute stress disorder: Some crime victims may experience trouble sleeping, flashbacks, extreme tension or anxiety, outbursts of anger, memory problems, trouble concentrating and other symptoms of distress for days or weeks following a trauma. A person may be diagnosed as having acute stress disorder (ASD) if these or other mental disorders continue for a minimum of two days to up to four weeks within a month of the trauma. If these symptoms persist after a month, the diagnosis becomes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Secondary Injuries

When victims do not receive the support and help they need after the crime, they may suffer secondary injuries. They may be hurt by a lack of understanding from friends, family and the professionals with whom they come into contact, particularly if others seem to blame the victim for the crime (suggesting they should have been able to prevent or avoid it). Police, prosecutors, judges, social service providers, the media, coroners and even clergy and mental health professionals may contribute to such secondary injuries. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2008 by the National Center for Victims of Crime. This information may be freely distributed, provided that it is distributed free of charge, reprinted in its entirety, and includes this copyright notice.

Students who have experienced a sexual misconduct will often disclose their experience to a friend or loved one first. This can be overwhelming for the person in the supportive role who may not know what to do or say to be helpful. It is important for victims to have people in their lives who will be empathetic, supportive and knowledgeable of available resources. Below you will find tips on how to help a friend who has experienced a sexual misconduct.

What You Can Do for a Victim

• Believe them.
• Listen without judgment.
• Encourage them to seek medical attention.
• Let them know that you support them.
• Provide resources (Student Victim Assistance is a good starting point. Student Victim Assistance can inform a student of their rights, reporting options and connect them with many other resources)

What You Can Say to a Victim

It is difficult to find the words at times to show you support and encourage a survivor. Here are some ways that you may express your concern to a victim of crime:

• I’m so sorry that this happened to you.
• What can I do to help?
• What can I do to help you feel safe?
• I can’t imagine what you may be going through right now.
• This was not your fault.
• What you’re feeling right now is normal.

Empowering a Friend

It is important to allow the victim or survivor to make choices pertaining to their next steps. In allowing them to make decisions, big or small, you are helping them to regain a sense of control. A supportive person can be instrumental in providing resources, encouragement and information to help a student to make informed choices related to their trauma.

Remember that a victim may ultimately choose not to take legal action or seek counseling. They may just want to forget what happened, which is a completely normal reaction. It is important to not attempt to shame them into taking action or become judgmental if they do not make a decision that you feel is right.

Provide resources and information, ensure that they are safe and support their right to choose. This is difficult but, know that what they are experiencing is overwhelming and we must respect their right to do what is comfortable to them at that time. For more information or for consultation, please contact Student Victim Assistance.