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Crime affects everyone differently. Your experience will be unique and is likely to affect not only how you think and feel but your relationships with friends, family and the wider community. Some things you may experience include:
Physical Effects:
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea
- Nightmares
- Chronic physical complaints
- Nausea
- Difficulty concentrating
- Tenseness or lethargy
Subsequent effects on your health from these physical effects may include:
- Physical Injuries
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- An unwanted pregnancy
- Sleep disturbances
- High blood pressure
- Risk taking behaviour
- Substance or alcohol abuse
- Post Traumatic Stress disorder
Psychological Effects:
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Shame or embarrassment
Shock
Depression
Low self esteem
Social withdrawal
Anger
Numbness or feelings of loss and abandonment
Anxiety
Fear
Self-blame
Loss of pleasure and interest
Irritability
You may also feel pressure from the prosecutors or community to have an opinion about the offender and their sentencing. Society may have a strong reaction to the crime or demand a tough conviction or legislative change. Your experience may also affect others in your immediate family and social group.
Throughout this process it is important to monitor the effect these changes are having on your day to day life. If you feel overwhelmed, please seek help from friends, family or one of the many services available to you.
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