How to Support a Friend or Family Member Who’s Been a Victim of Crime
Experiencing crime is an emotional time for any victim. It can be difficult to know how to support a friend or family member who has been a victim of a crime, but there are things you can do to be there for them. Read on to find out the best ways to help loved ones after they suffer a criminal incident.
Listen
Victims of crime often want to talk about what they have been through in order to process their feelings. Don’t try to force them to talk about it if they are not ready, but let them know that you will listen when they are ready. When they do speak to you about it, actively engage with them and give them time to put together potentially difficult words. While the crime may be difficult to hear about, ensure that the focus is on your loved one’s feelings rather than your own.
Believe them
Being accused of lying about what they experienced can be traumatic for victims of crime. If someone tells you about a crime that happened to them, it’s important not to doubt them. Even if the crime itself happened long ago, don’t question why it took them so long to tell you. They may feel a lot of shame about being a victim, and you should do your best to help them feel less embarrassed.
Reassure them
Victims of crime often experience fear that lasts long after the incident itself, particularly if the crime was motivated by hate. Reassure your loved ones that their feelings are valid, but they are safe. Some victims find it helpful to seek professional counselling, but this should be done on their own terms, so do not try to persuade them to go if they do not want to.
Don’t try to fix it
A common emotional reaction to seeing a loved one in distress is to try and fix it or get revenge. However, threatening to go after the perpetrator can actually cause the victim more distress. Any justice should be sought through law enforcement, rather than committing a crime in response.
This is particularly true for cases of domestic abuse, where a victim may not be ready to leave their abusive partner. Be careful not to alienate your loved one or cause conflict with the abuser, as this is likely to make the situation worse.
Show them where to turn
Whether or not a victim wishes to report a crime is their own decision. You should not try to pressure your loved ones into reporting crime, but if they decide to report, you can support them through the process. Help them research the right place to report.
Report crime anonymously
If you have information about a crime, you can anonymously share it with law enforcement through Crime Stoppers Bermuda. Using either our phone line or online form, you can share details of the crime without your personal information being collected. Any identifying information in your statement is removed before we send your report to law enforcement.
Report a crime online or by calling 800-8477
