Psychological and Emotional Effects of Crime on Victims (Term Paper Sample)

EFFECTS OF CRIME ON VICTIMS
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Abstract
Different people react to crime victimization in different ways. The reaction also changes day to day. Depending on the type and magnitude of crime, victims universally go through physical, psychological, social and financial effects among others. The victims, their family and friends and sometimes the entire community is always left in a state of turmoil as a result of significant physical injury, financial loss as well as mental distress caused by victimization.
This article will give an analysis of the ordeals that victims go through, their impact both to individuals and community as well as support to post-crime victims. To offer a detailed analysis and clear understanding, the article will make reference to a video account of 14 individuals (/watch?v=_ghpl4vDZ3s) , sharing their experiences as crime victims as well as the effects of victimization to family members.
Psychological and emotional effects
The aftermath of crime has a huge psychological and emotional impediment on the day to day lives of victims as a result of injuries suffered. The initial reaction to a crisis is that of shock and numbness as victims come to terms with the pain loss suffered. The first video account is a recollection of Peggy, a parent who lost her son in an arson attack. She says the irresponsible act of the arsonist has caused mental anguish and ruined lives of so many people he barely knew of their existence. She regards this as a lifetime punishment to the entire family as result of the emptiness, the sick feeling and tears shed daily.
After losing a family member or friend victims go through feelings of fear, stress, disbelief, anxiety and shock. Nightmares and flashbacks are a common experiences especially in young victims, a case true for Peggy who says since her son died, she has been forced to sleep with her daughter. This is could also be explained as a sense of both physical and emotional insecurity as they feel defenseless, more vulnerable to similar attacks, powerless and helpless, a case which is true for Peggy and Leanna a victim of burglary who lives in constant fear of a similar incidence .
Victims also experience sleeplessness, reduced appetite as well as low concentration. Young victims exhibit some extreme reactions like bedwetting, stop talking and a feeling of revenge and guilty among older children.
Physical effects
Victims experience a number of physical reactions immediately after discovering that a crime has occurred. These included increased heart rate, shaking, increased adrenalin in the body numbness, hyperventilation, tears among others. Some people as a result of shock and fear lose control over their bowel movements.
Depending on the level and degree of victimization, victims suffer three levels of physical injuries: minor injuries (bumps, scratches), moderate injuries (bruises and broken bones) and severe injuries (stabbing, gunshot wounds). A case in hand is the narration of Alan, a victim of assault. He lost his knees, his muscles and tendons were crushed by an attacker who mistook him for a person who had broken his window glasses. Allan says it will take him four to five years to rebuild up the strength. He admits that it is very tough when you can’t physically do what you want to do. He can no longer climb a ladder, a situation that forced him to quit his job. Although he suffered physical injuries, Allan also suffers from the fact that he is a victim of circumstances. He says he was ‘the wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time’
Physical injuries may not be noticed immediately especially if it occurs on internal organs or cases of sexual assault and even after healing the physical wounds, some victims experience pain and discomfort for some time and even their entire lives. Under severe circumstances victims suffers disfigurement or become disabled permanently. With unrecovered physical scars, the path to long-term psychological recovery become even more turbulent as the scars and even disability constantly reminds the victim of the crime.
Some victims may also find it hard to accept the people’s reaction towards his/her injuries, a case that further complicates the victim’s healing process. The social isolation further makes it complicated for the victim to heal both physically and psychologically. As a result of victimization, some victims may never return to their employment forcing them to live a ‘normal’ lifestyle and sometimes become dependents of other people. All these are constant reminders of the pain and atrocities suffered in the hands of another person.
Financial effects
Victims of burglary and theft are injured financially. In most cases stolen property and treasured possessions are never recovered. This is distressful to the victims who end up feeling frustrated, angry and guilty if they are unable to recover their property. Leanna recounts of how he house was broken into and took her property among the television sets and a camcorder that had her youngest son videos. It causes her mental stress knowing very well that the video will never be of any use to anyone yet she can’t get it back as well as the cost of replacing the stolen property.
Physical injuries inflicted on victims may lead to loss of employment as the case with Allan who was forced to quit his job as he could no longer use his legs to climb. This causes financial distress as the victim is forced to depend on other people. Additionally, victims incur costs in terms of replacing and repairing property, setting up security gadgets, higher insurance pre