Trauma & Impact on Victims of Crime
Trauma is an emotional and physical response to a terrible event. Some examples of traumatic events include car accidents, floods or earthquakes, shootings or muggings, physical attacks, and rape.
Some injuries – like cuts, bruises, and broken arms – are obvious. But victims of crime may not realize that their experience can also cause problems with sleeping, eating, or the ability to focus and pay attention. It can also change a person’s feelings of safety and experience the world around them.
Please visit the HOTLINE section on our site for resources.
What are common reactions to trauma?
Most crime victims have some kind of stress reaction after a trauma. Some common reactions to trauma include:
- Feeling afraid and fearful
- Feeling jumpy and getting easily startled, anxious
- Having bad dreams
- Feeling numb, or not wanting to be with others
- Feeling nervous, helpless, sad
- Feeling guilt or shame
- Being irritated or angry
- Feeling tired and having trouble sleeping
- Headaches, stomach aches
- Trouble eating
- Avoiding people, places, and things related to the trauma
- Not being interested in things you used to enjoy
- Feeling like you can’t trust anyone
You may experience one or more of these responses, and other feelings as well. All these reactions are normal, and every victim’s experience is different.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, is an illness that can develop after you go through a traumatic event. If your reactions to trauma have lasted longer than a few months, then you may have PTSD.
There are four types of PTSD symptoms, but they may not be exactly the same for everyone:
- Reliving the event: You feel like you are going through the event again. You may have bad memories or nightmares.
- Avoiding people or places that remind you of the traumatic event: You may even avoid thinking or talking about the event.
- Feeling alert and jittery: You may feel like you are always looking out for danger. You may be jumpy and startle easily.
- Having negative thoughts about yourself and others: You may feel guilt or shame, or find it hard to feel happy. You may feel like the world is dangerous and you can’t trust anyone.
Visit the National Institute of Mental Health website for more information on PTSD.
What can I do to help cope with the trauma?
Most people recover from trauma naturally, but sometimes the effects of victimization can be long-lasting and severe, especially if left unaddressed.
Know that you are not alone and there are things you can do to heal.
- Talk to friends and spend time with people. Avoid spending too much time alone.
- Try different ways to relax. Activities like listening to music, spending time in nature, walking or swimming can help some people.
- Seek individual or supportive counseling to help heal from the traumatic experience.
- Visit the NYS Office of Mental Health website’s Find a Mental Health Program to help you locate a program near you.
- Seek crisis intervention if you have thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or other overwhelming negative emotions.
Call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
If you are in immediate need, please dial 911.
Please visit this Victim Services page for more information about trauma and tips to recovery.