If You Are a Survivor of Crime

Everyday, people are impacted by felony-level violent crimes such as robbery, assault, hate crimes, domestic violence and child abuse. These events often leave people with multiple needs that go beyond bringing a suspect to justice. Crime survivors often find themselves grappling with difficult questions: How will I pay for expensive emergency medical care? What will happen next? How can I feel safe again? Where can I get information? What are my rights? Who will simply listen to me and respect my feelings and decisions?

How to Support a Survivor of Crime

• Let them talk about the event and listen. Do not offer opinions, judgements or advice about what you hear. Allow your loved one to describe what they:
  • Saw
  • Heard
  • Thought
  • Smelled
  • Felt
• Tell them that you accept them and your caring for them has not changed. Tell them how much you appreciate them.
• Simply listen: Listen to his or her emotions as well as the story. Respond to their feelings.
• Understand that people communicate in other ways than with their words. Try to understand and take cues from your loved one's expressions and body language.
• Encourage them to set priorities and problem-solve with input from family and close friends.
• Discourage them from making life changing decisions in the immediate aftermath.
• Allow time to heal. Don't tell them to "get over it." Remember that every day they may be re-experiencing the event through memories, emotions or injuries that take time to heal. no one expects a broken bone to heal over night, but often people expect loved ones to "get over" trauma after a day or two.
• Think of healing as a group issue, not an individual one. As a caring person, you are impacted too. Take time for yourself, be gentle with yourself and with others.
• Facilitate support from family members, friends and the community.
• Laugh. Use humor (preferably not about the event.) Try to lighten up if you can.
• Maintain crucial standards with children but be more flexible with less important expectations.
• Be flexible with roles and chores.
• Give each other space.
• Ask the survivor how to support them, don't assume they want what you want.
• After some time has passed, review what has happened. Concentrate on how each person has changed or grown.
• Take time to do fun things.
• Encourage them to have control over daily decisions, like what they want to eat.
• Offer praise without patronizing. Surviving a violent crime takes courage and inner strength.
• Encourage your loved one to get up and move, and exercise with them. Recent studies have shown that exercise can impact depression as well as some medications do. A doctor can help set limits and describe the best activities.