Psychological Trauma

Psychological Trauma of Crime Victimization

[This paper is drawn from Chapter One of Marlene A. Young, Victim Assistance: Frontiers and Fundamentals, a publication of the National Organization for Victim Assistance. Permission to reprint this paper is granted so long as its source is properly attributed.]

Crime victimization leaves victims, families, and friends—even the community around them—in a state of turmoil. There is often significant financial loss and physical injury connected with victimization. But the most devastating part for most victims is the emotional pain caused by crime and the aftermath. The psychological trauma of victimization can be separated into two phases: the initial crisis reaction to the violation, and the long-term stress reactions it sometimes causes, with the second of these often exacerbated by additional “assaults” by society and its institutions.

I. The Crisis Reaction A. Individuals exist in normal state of equilibrium...