Everyone is different and therefore crime will affect them in different ways. The main thing is to understand that any changes in how you feel could be a result of the traumatic experience you’ve been through.
One of the things that can make a crime really hard to cope with is knowing that it was done deliberately by another person. Unlike an accident or illness, people who commit a crime intend to cause some sort of harm.
The effects of crime can also last for a long time, and it doesn’t depend on how ‘serious’ the crime was. Some people cope really well with the most horrific crimes while others can be very distressed by a more minor incident.
After you experience a crime you may find that:
1. You feel angry, upset or experience other strong emotions
Some people are surprised at just how emotional they feel after a crime. These strong emotions can make you feel even more unsettled and confused.
A lot of people feel angry, upset or afraid after experiencing crime, but people will react in different ways.
2. Things suddenly fall apart for you
Sometimes people feel quite normal for a while and then things may suddenly start to fall apart.
3. You show physical symptoms
Others might have physical symptoms, such as lack of sleep or feeling ill.
4. You blame yourself thinking you should have done things differently
Many victims blame themselves or feel too embarrassed to come forward and get help – it’s important to remember it’s not your fault.
5. You develop long-term problems such as depression or anxiety-related illness
While the short-term effects of crime can be severe, most people don’t suffer any long-term harm. Occasionally, people do develop long-term problems, such as depression or anxiety-related illnesses, and a few people have a severe, long-lasting reaction after a crime, known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However you’ve been affected, we can give you information and support to help you recover. Find out more about how crime can impact on your health.
How you react to a crime will also depend on:
1. The type of crime
If you are the victim, this can make you feel powerless and vulnerable.
This can be even more difficult to deal with if the crime is repeated or ongoing, which is often the case with domestic violence or racial harassment. It’s also a big issue for hate crimes when you know, as the victim, that you’ve been singled out because of who or what you are
2. Whether you know the person who committed the crime
It can be even more difficult if the crime was carried out by someone you know, such as a friend or family member. You may feel a sense of betrayal, or that your trust has been damaged. You may feel hurt, confused or any other number of complex emotions.
3. The support you get (or don’t get) from your family, friends, the police and other people around you
People around you, such as family and friends, are also likely to be affected. They might experience similar emotions to yours, as well as concern for you. But at the same time, some people find that others around them expect them to just ‘get over it’. This isn’t helpful if what you really want to do is talk about how you feel.
4. Things that have happened to you in the past
Even if you’ve had to deal with difficult events before you may have found ways of coping.
Getting support
If you’ve been affected by crime and are finding it difficult to cope, you can talk to us. We’re here to help, regardless of when the crime happened and whether or not it has been reported to the police.
You can call our Supportline for free on 08 08 16 89 111 to talk to us in confidence or request support via our website. We welcome calls via Relay UK, and you can also contact us via our 24/7 live chat service, which is free and confidential.
You can create a My Support Space account. This is a free, safe and secure online space where you can work through interactive guides to help you move forward after crime.
You can also contact your local Victim Support office.
While everyone is different, if you are a victim of crime, understanding common reactions to traumatic events can be helpful. This website has information about support services available for people affected by a range of crimes. If you need help, it is important to reach out. If someone close to you has been affected by crime you can learn more about how to support them.
If you need crisis support, you can contact Lifeline (External link) 24 hours a day on 13 11 14.
The Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817 can provide support and advice between 8am and 11pm.
You may feel shocked, fearful or angry.
A common reaction is feeling numb and having trouble believing that this has happened to you.
Your emotional and physical health
Experiencing a range of emotions is a normal part of being affected by a crime. In most cases, they are temporary, and you will recover in the days, weeks or months following the incident with the support of friends and family.
You might experience:
- headaches
- nausea
- sleep problems or fatigue
- jumpiness
- repeated thoughts of the event.
Or you might have feelings that come and go, like:
- guilt
- fear
- anger
- sadness
- confusion
- helplessness.
Your day-to-day life might be affected by:
- trouble with your concentration or memory
- reduced performance at work or school
- withdrawing from others
- feeling like you’ve lost control.
But sometimes the recovery process is more difficult. Some people experience depression or anxiety, and related ongoing physical effects. It is important to seek professional help if you think that this may be happening. Doing this early can help you recover more quickly.
Your recovery
This video:
- explains how your brain and body worked together at the time of the event
- explains some of the feelings you may be experiencing
- gives tips to help you in your recovery.
- talk about how you feel with someone you trust
- structure your life as much as possible
- accept that you may have good days and bad days
- eat regularly and nutritiously
- make sure you get physical exercise
- limit your alcohol and drug use
- keep a journal of how you feel each day
- defer major life decisions
- be kind and gentle with yourself.
Dealing with the justice system
After a crime has happened, you may feel uncertain about what to do next or concerned about what will happen once the crime is reported. It can also be difficult to take in and remember new information that police or other services give you.
You can use this website to learn more about:
When you talk to police, prosecutors and victims services, you can ask questions about anything you are unsure about. Some people find it helpful to have a family member or friend act as a support person who can:
- be with you and provide emotional support
- help you collect and remember information you need to know
- give you a hand with any practical arrangements you need to make.
Getting help
You can learn more about assistance available in Victoria for people affected by crimes on this website.
Counselling and crisis support services
Lifeline
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Open 24 hours, every day
Call 13 11 14
Website lifeline.org.au (External link)
Mental health care plan – see your General Practitioner
If you need assistance, you can see a General Practitioner and discuss your situation. You may be eligible for a mental health care plan that will assist with the cost of counselling.
A crime is usually always a surprise, and all its consequences cannot be prepared for. In addition to physical and economic consequences, the victim of violence often experiences psychological and social consequences – especially in case of a violent crime.
Reacting to a crime is normal. The person’s own history, life situation, energy resources and method of dealing with the events influence the reaction. Strong emotions are also brought on by the idea of what could have happened. For some people, an experience of crime may cause slight harm, for others it can be a very tragic experience that leads to a traumatic crisis.
Feelings of insecurity, fear and anxiety are common. A person suddenly end up in a situation they did not believe would happen to them. An experience of crime may feel unreal and like a nightmare. Anxiety takes over an unnecessary amount of the mind, causes pain and the sense of worthlessness. Guilt and shame are intertwined.
It is very common that the victim feels guilty about what has happened and believes to have caused or enabled the crime. Usual thoughts might be: “If I hadn’t annoyed him/her…”, “If I hadn’t gone there…”. “. The sense of shame may prevent the victim from telling anyone about his/her situation. The sense of shame is difficult to control. Although your mind says that what has happened is not your fault, the shame does not go away. To protect oneself from these emotions, the victim may use defence mechanisms. Denying the experience is one example of the psyche’s methods to ease pain.
The victim of crime may suffer from depression, eating disorders or self-destructive behaviour. Suicidal thoughts and attempts may be possible, in the same way as the use of alcohol and/or drugs. The thought of the pain easing over time does not always bring comfort, because after a traumatic experience the person may not always have the ability to shape the future. The victim may feel powerless and isolated, in which case normal, everyday discussions are not of any interest. Emotions of anger, aggression, depression and anguish may vary and resentment or revenge may “poison the mind”.
Due to the traumatic experience, the victim’s ability to think and act rationally may weaken, in which case understanding any information provided may prove more difficult. Procedures may be forgotten or they are remembered wrong. Behaviour may also not always be in their own interest. For example, a victim of sexual violence may take a shower immediately, even though he/she has heard that washing should be avoided before seeing a doctor.
Memories related to the crime may also be confusing or the victim does not remember nearly anything about what has happened. A shocking event may paralyse performance partially or completely. The ability to concentrate and the interest in normal everyday tasks can weaken, let alone demanding study or work activities.
It is important that the victim of crime gets help as soon as possible. It is common that during the first few days after the crime, the experience does not feel like much. Shock protects the human mind from stressful emotions.
The copying process progresses better and quicker, if the victim has an opportunity to talk about his/her experiences and the emotions it has caused. For others, addressing the topic by reading, being outside or listening to music may also offer help. The help of loved ones and a possible support person may also be beneficial – both psychosocially as well as in handling practical matters.
Support persons can be requested by submitting a contact request to Victim Support Finland or by calling your local service point.