- I WAS VICTIM OF CRIME: CONSEQUENCES AND REACTIONS
- VICTIM RIGHTS
- IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME YOU HAVE THE RIGHT:
- SELECTED RIGHTS OF VICTIMS IN A SPECIAL SITUATION
- THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY CRIME
- RIGHTS OF VICTIMS PROTECTION
- THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD
- VICTIM’S RIGHTS IN CASE OF REFUSAL OR DISCONTINUATION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDING
- RIGHT TO MEDIATION
- RIGHT TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE
- RIGHT OF WITNESS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR INCOME LOST AND COST OF TRAVELLING
- RIGHT TO RETURN OF PROPERTY
- RIGHT OF VICTIMS IN NEED OF PARTICULAR PROTECTION
- RIGHTS OF VICTIMS LIVING IN ANOTHER EU MEMBER STATE
- CRIMINAL COURT PROCEEDING
- WHO IS WHO
TRAUMA
Victims of crime reveal a wide range of psychological reactions. But also physical and financial consequences of crime are known and noticeable. Traumatic sensations and their consequences are less known and understood since they are more difficult to spot.
People who suffer psychological damage caused by an incident, e.g. crime, frequently describe such a situation by saying: ‘Nothing is like before’.
When your physical and psychological integrity has been attacked or threatened, an incident can be a source of trauma. When exposed to an unpredictable situation you may feel desperate and helpless, and this feeling of helplessness may last for long and influence your understanding of the world and yourself.
Frequently, victims lose trust towards others permanently.
Some victims may become suspicious towards other people which can lead to complete alienation from family, friends and society.
Some victims of crime suffer psycho-somatic sensations, i.e. physical reactions to stress. Specific factors, for instance noise, can remind them of a crime and generate physical reactions, such as palpitation or excessive blood pressure. This may lead to a number of diseases, e.g. chronic hard disorders.
Another characteristic symptom in victims of crime is chronic/lasting pessimistic vision of the future.
This results in passive behaviour, reduced self-esteem during everyday tasks and duties.
STRESS REACTION PHASES
A traumatic event initially causes a reaction of shock, anxiety, disorientation, sadness, inability to take in important information, express anger, numbness. These symptoms can last from one hour to several days.
The next stage involves symptoms that last two to four weeks. These are acute stress reactions caused by the event: strong feelings of despair, depression, helplessness and lack of hope for the future. Some victims experience feelings of guilt or, paradoxically, violent and/or accusatory outbursts of anger towards potential perpetrators.
In the recovery phase, individuals begin to return to equilibrium. However, it is not uncommon for a traumatic event to be recalled again and continue to influence the way you see the crisis, yourself and the world.
PTSD – POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as "a stressful event or situation (short- or long-term) with exceptionally threatening or catastrophic characteristics that could cause intense distress in almost anyone" ( PTSD according to the international classification of diseases ICD-10).
Typical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are: recalling the traumatic event again, avoiding situations or places that resemble the stressful situation. Victims of crime may have difficulty falling or staying asleep, irritability or outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, being overly vigilant.