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Help for victims of crime
For anyone who needs support, contact numbers follow, as well as information on recognising symptoms and an overview of what to do.
On a daily basis the media reports stories about the ongoing violence which is taking place. These include horrific details of violent crimes occurring in the workplace, on the streets and within the "sanctuary" of people's homes. The impact of these stories on the reader, may vary from feelings of outrage, anger and despair about the country, to indifference which may be due to overexposure and desensitisation to the horror of these events. But what happens to those who have had their lives shattered by violence? We seldom hear about the longer term impact of these traumatic experiences or the road to recovery from victim to survivor. We do not see the struggle and pain of this journey, nor the incredible strength and resilience that many survivors display. This silence fails to inform us of what to expect in the event of victimisation and what hinders healing or facilitates coping. Many victims seek counselling following their ordeal. The Trauma Clinic of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation offers a specialised counselling service to victims of violence and trauma. The majority of clients who attend the clinic have been criminally victimised, primarily as a result of armed robbery and car hijacking. Although each individual reacts to traumatic events in their own unique way, there are common traumatic stress responses which many people experience. These include feelings of fear, being easily startled, physical symptoms such as headaches, difficulty sleeping and poor concentration. Individuals may experience rapid changes in mood, anxiety, uncharacteristic anger outbursts and irritability. They may also become withdrawn, avoid talking about their experience or avoid things that remind them of it. There may be a loss of enjoyment in things that used to be pleasurable. Victims may be haunted by distressing nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive memories of the event. It is important to help people understand that these symptoms are normal reactions to abnormal events and that they are not going crazy. An important function of trauma counselling is to help people talk about their experiences in a safe and uncritical environment. Survivors often blame themselves in some way, for example they may feel responsible for what happened or believe they could have behaved differently during the incident. These feelings often leave survivors feeling bad about themselves and add to a sense of powerlessness and helplessness. In certain cases, this is made worse when loved ones also blame the victim for what happened. It is important to know that nobody asks or deserves to be victimised and that in these situations, one does the best one can to survive. Friends and family do not always understand the changes in their loved ones after they have been victimised. This can cause problems in relationships and the victim may withdraw from potential sources of support, when they are most needed. Sometimes, survivors may try and cope by increased drinking, smoking or self medicating, which makes symptoms worse. Despite the above-mentioned difficulties, many people who attend the Trauma Clinic have coped and in many cases come through their experience with an increased sense of their own strength and ability to survive. Talking about the trauma and recognising that traumatic stress reactions are normal, helps people cope more effectively. Support and understanding from family and friends is also important for healing. Survivors have also found it helpful to share their experiences with others who have been through the same or similar events. Feelings of anger and aggression are often the most difficult to cope with and left unresolved, can lead to revenge fantasies, racial prejudice and in some cases, further violence. It is critical that people find appropriate ways of expressing this anger to ensure that this does not become self destructive. Useful ways of dealing with anger include physical exercise, relaxation and stress management, sharing one's experiences with others and taking proactive action such as becoming involved in local anti-crime and victim empowerment initiatives, as well as using the media to lobby for victims' rights. Trauma counselling aims at assisting the survivor to find constructive ways of coping with the emotional impact of trauma. Many South Africans may feel ashamed to seek counselling and perceive this to be a sign of weakness. Due to increased public awareness about trauma and the need for support, more people are utilising counselling services. Often it is necessary to combine trauma counselling with other forms of healing which are consistent with an individual's belief system, such as indigenous African healing practices or spiritual counselling. Alternative forms of treatment, for example body therapies, art and drama, may need to be incorporated into trauma counselling to ensure a holistic approach to healing. There have been exciting developments in the field of trauma management in South Africa. At a recent conference hosted by the CSVR, specialists in the field of trauma gathered to exchange ideas and information regarding best practices and solutions for healing the wounds of the many South Africans who have been traumatised. It was recognised that the current levels of violence need to be understood within the context of the legacy of apartheid. In order to intercept future cycles of violence, it is critical that the psychological impact of violence is addressed on an individual and societal level. For more information about the Trauma Clinic, telephone +27 (11) 403-5102. Mary Robertson is a former Manager and Helen Hajiyiannis is a former Researcher in the Trauma Clinic of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation.
Updated November 2007
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