OVC Help Series for Crime Victims
Assault victims may face extensive physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Assault victims may have been seriously or permanently injured. Even if they were not injured, they have faced the possibility of death and fears of leaving behind loved ones. These fears and the potential physical aspects of the assault may have a significant immediate and long-term emotional impact on assault victims. And just as everyone reacts to a crisis differently, not everyone copes with the impact of a crisis in the same way or within the same timeframe.
If you are a victim of assault, you may experience a wide range of different feelings about and reactions to the assault. Although you may feel as if you are the only one experiencing these feelings—that no one else understand what you are going through—remember that your reactions are normal. Your reaction may be immediate or delayed. Some feelings may subside within a few days, while others may continue for some time or resurface after being triggered by another event. You may feel shock that this could happen to you and guilt that you could not prevent it. You may feel that others believe the crime was somehow your fault, and you may feel humiliated or rejected by family members or acquaintance.
You may feel angry at the attacker or at the police and the criminal justice system for not doing enough about the assault. You may be fearful that you could be assaulted again. You also may be disturbed by new feelings of vulnerability and loss of control similar to what you felt during the assault
Many assault victims are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, which can involve having flashbacks or nightmares about the assault, avoiding places that remind them of the assault, feeling depressed or emotionally numb, and being easily startled at little noises or abrupt movements.
Whatever your reaction it is important for you to deal with your emotions at your own pace and in your own way. It is also important to seek help if you feel the need. There are many resources and forms of assistance available to you which will be explored in the next article.
