The Impact of Crime
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime, help is available through our Victim/Witness Services Bureau. It is normal to experience a wide range of emotions and reactions after a crime has occurred, which may be:
- Emotional: fear, shock, anxiety, anger or rage, confusion, feeling helpless or unsafe, guilty, depression, feeling out of control, pre-occupied with the crime and/or distrust.
- Physical: pain and injuries, short or long-term disabilities, anxiety-related symptoms such as stomach pains, rapid heart rate and/or high blood pressure.
- Financial: increased out-of-pocket costs for medical bills, property damage and/or lost wages.
- Social: changes in lifestyle, disruptions or strains on personal relationships, decreased productivity and/or isolation.
- Spiritual: questioning faith, change in perspective and/or less engagement with faith group.
Tips for Coping After Crime
Emotional pain that stays with us long after an incident has occurred is trauma, which is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Some ideas that may help you cope with trauma or loss experienced after a crime, include:
- Find someone to talk to about your feelings. Call a trusted family member or friend when you feel overwhelmed or panicked. Consider speaking with a counselor.
- Keep a journal. Writing can be a therapeutic way to express your feelings.
- Spent time with others, but also make time for yourself.
- Rest, sleep and eat regular, healthy meals.
- Re-establish your normal routine as soon as possible without causing yourself additional stress.
- Make daily decisions, which will help bring back a feeling of control over your life.
- Exercise, but alternate with periods of relaxation.
- Undertake your daily tasks with care as accidents or mistakes can be more likely to occur following severe stress.
- Recall the things that helped you cope during past difficulties and think about things that give you hope.
- Try to avoid drugs and alcohol, which can result in self-blame, withholding your emotions or potentially new problems and life-altering decisions.
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