Trauma and the Healing Process

For many people, life is simply not the same after a crime. You might find that the trauma of the crime itself and other people’ s reactions to the crime and the criminal justice process affect you in ways you could not have imagined. The world can suddenly seem an unsafe and unpredictable place. Your relationships with other people and your view of yourself may change in unexpected, confusing ways.

To help you understand and cope with the emotional impact of a crime, this section explains some of the common responses to being a victim of a crime, gives an overview of counseling services available to victims and provides information on victim advocacy and related resources. Although people are often powerless in preventing their own victimization, many victims find remarkable strength in determining the best course for themselves in crime’s aftermath.