Secondary Victimization
Victims of sexual assault and other violent acts often experience emotional, interpersonal and educational/vocational difficulties over some period of time following the incident. Such negative effects can he diminished through counseling and other support services. While a victim's need for such assistance is often assumed, it might be less apparent when co-workers, friends, and family members need help dealing with the trauma. Secondary victimization refers to the negative effects experienced by those who are not the direct targets of a violent act. These effects often include:
Shock and disbelief. Traumatic events by their very nature are outside of the realm of normal human experience. It can be very difficult to comprehend that your friend or loved one could actually he the victim of a violent crime.
Feeling of rage and helplessness. This is a natural response to learning that a person you care about has been assaulted or abused. However, it is important to get help with managing these feelings so that you do not express them in destructive ways. It is never helpful for the victim to have someone else try to "retaliate" against the perpetrator. Such actions compound the violence of the situation, and leave the victim feeling yet more fearful and out of control.
Fear for the victim’s own safety. After a violent crime, there is a risk that the perpetrator might strike again, either against the victim or someone close to her/him. Police and university officials can offer the best protection against this danger. However, even when actions have been taken to minimize any real threat, you might continue to be fearful and over-protective of the victim.
Preoccupation with the violent event and its aftermath. Because of the emotional reactions described above, it might he difficult to "give yourself a break" from thinking about the event. This problem can he exacerbated by constant reminders such as the victim's distress and any ongoing legal or judicial proceedings related to the situation.
Difficulties in your relationship with the victim. Because you and the victim might have different ways of coping with the traumatic event, there is potential for hurtful misunderstandings to arise. Another issue is that many victims have difficulty trusting anyone for some time after the violent incident, and may withdraw from friends and family as a result.
Responses to past trauma triggered by the current situation. If you have been victimized in the past, you may have an intense reaction to hearing of another's traumatic experience. Symptoms might include nightmares, "flashbacks" to your own experience, panic/anxiety, and depression.
Loss of security and trust. An act of interpersonal violence against someone you know can raise questions about why people hurt each other, who can be trusted, and whether the world is a safe place. For some, it is difficult to reconcile these questions with long-held religious or spiritual beliefs.
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