Physical health issues can be painful reminders for crime victims. Victims may be seriously or permanently injured following a crime, and these injuries may prevent them from going to work or performing other day-to-day activities.
Victims of may suffer from mental health issues resulting from their victimization. Specifically, victims of a violent crime, such as assault and robbery, have reported feelings of distress, problems with work or school, and problems with family members and friends that include more arguments and an inability to trust them.
It is also critical to be aware of the mental health of victim service providers and first responders. Research shows that vicarious trauma, when left unaddressed, can lead to staff burnout, turnover, stress, and a lesser quality of services for victims. OVC’s Vicarious Trauma Toolkit offers guidance to help organizations strengthen their ability to address work-related exposure to trauma.
The following resources provide information on physical and mental health.
Recent Publications
- Pathways Toward Collective Healing: Law Enforcement and the Communities they Serve: Collective Healing in the Wake of Harm
- Office for Victims of Crime Grant Programs: Victim Services for Older Adults FY 2019 Topical Snapshot
- The Opioid Crisis and the Nation's Youth: Strategies and Solutions To Serve Our Youngest Victims