How to Help a Crime Victim

How to Help a Crime Victim

They say there are two certainties of life, neither one of which is particularly pleasant. We can add a third life event that should be labeled as an almost certainty.

It is called becoming a victim of a crime.

Being a crime victim can be a stressful period in our life. This is especially true for victims of violent crimes. However, it is not just the severity of a crime that influences how we handle it. There is also our unique approach to dealing with highly difficult events.

The bottom line is how we handle the aftermath of a crime is largely dependent on the support that we get from friends, family members, and most importantly, the professionals that have made a career out of answering the question, “How to help a crime victim.”

How Crime Victims Can Cope

One of the biggest problems for crime victims in the aftermath of a crime is communicating with others about how they feel. Finding someone that you trust can be a breakthrough that relieves you of some of the emotional burden of being a crime victim. Whether you reach out to a close friend or family member, talking with someone about your feelings can make a huge difference in determining how long it takes to rebound from a crime.

You have done your part to get help. Now, the question is how can the person or people that you reach out to help you turn the corner during the most difficult phase of your life.

Helping Someone Close to You Recover from a Crime

For a friend or a family member of a crime victim, your role is not to morph into a psychological guru who hosts a daily television show. Your role involves doing a few simple things to help a crime victim regain some sense of normalcy.

It starts by being someone who listens. Spend time with the crime victim and listen to his or her fears, concerns, and most importantly, the different strong feelings that often accompany the life of someone who has been victimized. Offer your help in a general way like saying “Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.” Allow the crime victim to fill in the blanks to give you insight into how you can provide assistance. Help comes in many forms and sometimes, help can be simply lending an ear to a good friend.

For a victim of a violent crime, you might have to assert more of yourself into the person’s life. This can mean helping with everyday tasks, such as cleaning and cooking. Never take any of the emotions shown by a crime victim personally. You can experience a wide range of emotions in just a 15-minute conversation with a crime victim. Above all, give someone who has endured a criminal act plenty of time to spend privately.

Get Professional Help

Many crime victims allow pride to taint the recovery process. If you are a crime victim, speaking with a highly trained professional who provides emotional support is an effective way to start on the road to recovery. Former criminal prosecutor Michael L. Fell has a team of emphatic and supportive professionals that are ready you cope with being a victim of a crime.

Call us at 949-585-9055 to schedule a meeting that helps you reclaim your life.