Family and Friends Affected by Crime

 

It is not only victims, witnesses and defendants who are affected by crime and its trauma impacts. Family and friends of victims, witnesses and defendants can experience trauma too.

 

Being a relative or a loved one can be a traumatic experience and have serious impacts on you including physical, mental or emotional harm or losses directly or indirectly caused by a criminal offence. For others the experience may be stressful but not traumatic.

 

Wider repercussions for family and other loved ones can be direct or vicarious / secondary trauma. Secondary trauma means that although the original (primary) trauma happened to someone else, the impact it's having on someone else’s life is traumatic for them too. It doesn't mean it's any less significant than any other kind of trauma, or any easier to deal with.

 

It can be extremely shocking and frightening. It can also be stressful worrying about the legal process, waiting for court dates and being at / supporting others at court on the day/s.

 

 

Commons feelings include:

 

​You may feel angry, upset or experience other strong emotions You may feel scared Things can suddenly fall apart for you You may show physical symptoms Have intrusive thoughts Try and avoid reminders of the event You may feel numb or detached Have difficulty sleeping or concentrating You may blame yourself thinking you should have done things differently You may develop long-term problems such as depression or anxiety-related illness You may experience trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

 

 

The UK charity, SAMM National (Support After Murder and Manslaughter) cites that as many as a third of loved ones bereaved by murder experience PTSD (Casey, 2011).

 

Trauma is when we experience very stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control. It could be one incident, or an ongoing event that happens over a long period of time. Most of us will experience an event in our lives that could be considered traumatic. Being a witness of a crime is an example of a traumatic incident.

 

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. PTSD can affect a person's ability to work, perform day-to-day activities or relate to their family and friends. PTSD symptoms usually appear soon after trauma. Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event may include avoiding people, places, activities, objects and situations that may trigger distressing memories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event. They may resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it. For most people, these symptoms go away on their own within the first few weeks and months after the trauma. For some, the symptoms can last for many years, especially if they go untreated. PTSD symptoms can stay at a fairly constant level of severity.

 

 

Help for Family and Friends of Crime

 

Victim Support is the independent charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

 

In Scotland

https://victimsupport.scot/

 

In Ireland

https://www.crimevictimshelpline.ie/

 

Here is a video with some self-help ideas that may improve your mood or reduce the stress and anxiety created by crime.

 

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There is lots of other help and support available

This website may be able to help you cope with the trauma you are experiencing. This site also includes a UK help directory with information about lots of organisations that can help with trauma themes including depression and feeling suicidal (Help Directory)

 

Here are some organisations that help with crime related needs.

 

National Services

There are a large number of UK services that may also be able to help you

Here is information about some of them (accurate at November 2023)

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Childline Private and confidential service where children and young people (up to 18 years of age) can talk about anything. Website. childline.org.uk Tel. 0800 1111 ​
Samaritans Whatever you are going through, call us anytime 24 hours a day every day. Website. samaritans.org Tel. 116 123 ​
Papyrus UK For children and young people under the age of 35 years who are having suicidal thoughts or for anyone concerned that someone may be having suicidal thoughts. Website. papyrus-org.uk Tel. 0800 0684141 ​
The Crysalys Foundation – Tackling Trauma UK digital platform with info, resources and self-help on understanding and recovery from trauma for children, young people, adults, parents / carers and professionals. Available languages: English, Welsh and Ukrainian Website. tackling-trauma.com ​
SAMM National – Support After Murder and Manslaughter Support for family members and friends bereaved by murder or manslaughter. Website. samm.org.uk Tel. 0121 4722912 Mobile. 07342 888570 ​
SHOUT Text service for young people who are feeling low, anxious, worried, lonely, overwhelmed, suicidal or just not yourself . Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 to start a conversation. They will text you back once a volunteer is available ​
Runaway Helpline Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back. You can also contact us if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused. Website. runawayhelpline.org.uk Tel or Text. 116 000 ​
Support Through Court Supporting people who face civil or family court alone so they can represent themselves to the best of their ability. Website. supporthtroughcourt.org Tel. 03000 810 006 ​
Victim Support For victims affected by crime needing info and support 24 hours per day everyday. Website. victimsupport.org.uk Tel. 0808 1689111 ​
We Stand Offering info and support services for non-abusing parents and carers of children who have been sexually abused. Website. westand.org.uk Tel. 0800 9801958 ​
Why Me? Delivering and promoting restorative justice for anyone affected by crime.Restorative justice is an approach to justice that seeks to repair harm by providing an opportunity for those harmed and those who take responsibility for the harm to communicate about and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime.Website. why-me.orgEmail. info@why-me.org ​
Fearless Online Fearless online where you can report crime or share information without having to leave any personal information.  You can give us information about crime without giving your name or any personal details. We will not ask about your gender or age. They will not record any personal details you might mention. The system design is to protect your identity so we cannot physically cannot trace your email or IP address.Website. fearless.org ​
The Salvation Army Providing specialist support for all adult victims of modern slavery in England and Wales available 24 hours per day everyday .Modern slavery is the exploitation of other people, for personal or commercial gainWebsite.salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery Tel. 0800 808 3733  ​
Young Minds For young people, who need help with their mental help 24 hours a day every day. Website. youngminds.org.uk Text YM to 85258  ​
The Mix For anyone under 25 years of age who faces challenges. Website. themix.org.uk Tel. 0808 8084994 ​
Cruse Bereavement Care For bereaved children and young people. Website. hopeagain.org.uk Tel. 0808 8081677 ​
Talk to Frank Providing facts, information and advice on drugs, their effects and the law. Website. talktofrank.com Tel. 0300 1236600 ​
Combat Stress For veterans’ mental health problems helping servicemen and women with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Website. combatstress.org.uk Tel. 0800 1381619 ​
The Compassionate Friend Supporting bereaved parents and their families who have lost a son or daughter. Website. tcf.org.uk Tel. 0345 1232304 ​
CALM For info, support and listening services for men who are at risk of suicide. Website. thecalmzone.net Tel. 0800 585858 ​
Anxiety UK For support, advice and info on anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression conditions. Website. anxietyuk.org.uk Tel. 03444 775774 ​
SANDS Support for anyone affected by the death of a baby. Website. sands.org.uk Tel. 0808 1643332 Email. helpline@sands.org.uk ​
Family Lives Parenting and family support. Website. familylives.org.uk Tel. 0808 8002222 Email. askus@familylives.org.uk ​
Kidscape Focused on keeping children safe including dealing with bullying. Website. kidscape.org.uk ​
Rape Crisis Englandand Wales Help and support after rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse or any other form of sexual violence. Website. rapecrisis.org.uk ​
Women’s Aid Ending domestic violence against women and children. Website. womensaid.org.uk ​
Family Rights Group Promotes policies and practices that keep children safe within their family and strengthen the family and community networks of those children who cannot live at home. Website. frg.org.uk Tel. 0808 8010366  ​
The Survivors Trust Supporting victims and survivors of sexual violence. Website. thesurvivorstrust.org Tel. 08088 010818  ​
mind uk Mental health services to support individuals dealing with mental health challenges. Website. mind.org.uk/ Tel. 0300 123 3393

 

Northamptonshire Services

 

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service six Based in WellingboroughMental health and wellbeing support for children (from 4 years), young people and their families in Northamptonshire. Website. servicesix.co.uk Tel. 01933 277520 ​
NGAGE Specialist drug and alcohol service for young people aged 10 to 18 years.Dedicated workers in Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, East and South Northamptonshire.Website. aquarius.org.uk/ngage Tel. 01604 333848 Email. ypnorthamptonshire@aquarius.org.ukFacebook. @aquariusnorthampton ​
stand out northamptonshire Improving the lives of children in care and care leavers. Website. standoutnorthamptonshire.com Email. services@standoutnorthamptonshire.com ​
the lowdown Based in NorthamptonMental health charity aged 11 to 25 years in Northamptonshire. Website. thelowdown.info Tel. 01604 634385 ​
Time2Talk Based in DaventryMental health charity for young people aged 13 to 25 years in Daventry & South Northamptonshire. Website. time2talk.org.uk Tel. 01327 706706​
CHAT Based in OundleYouth counselling service for young people aged 9 to 25 years in East Northamptonshire. Website.chatyouthcounselling.org.uk Tel. 01832 274422 ​
Youth Works Based in KetteringEducation and support services for young people in Northamptonshire. Website. youthworksnorthamptonshire.org.uk Tel. 01536 518339 ​
VOICE Northants Providing support for victims and witnesses of crime in Northamptonshire. Specialist domestic abuse, children & young people, trauma on the roads & restorative justice services. Website. voicenorthants.org Tel. 0300 3031965 Email. info@voicenorthants.org ​
Northamptonshire MIND Based in Corby, Wellingborough, Northampton, Rushden, Daventry and Towcester & Brackley . Mental health services to support individuals dealing with mental health challenges. Website. northamptonshiremind.org.uk ​
kettering MIND Providing a wide range of services to help the people of Kettering with their mental health. Website. ketteringmind.org.uk Tel. 01536 523216 Email. info@ketteringmind.org.uk ​
Citizens Advice Central and East Northamptonshire (Northampton, Wellingborough, South and East Northamptonshire). Independent advice provider. Website. cencab.org.uk Tel. 0800 1448848 ​
Citizens Advice Corby and KetteringIndependent advice provider. Website. nnca.uk Corby Tel. 01536 265501 Kettering Tel. 01536 482281 Email. enquiries@nnca.uk ​
Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Services Refuge, outreach & group work programmes for women & men impacted by domestic abuse. Support for children to recover from the trauma of domestic abuse. Website. ndas.co Tel. 0300 0120154 Email. advice@ndas-org.co.uk ​
Family Support Link Support for children and adults affected by another’s substance misuse in Northamptonshire. Website. familysupportlink.co.uk Tel. 01933 227078 Email. contactus@family-supportlink.co.uk ​
CIRV - The Community Initiative to Reduce Violence Multi-agency gang intervention programme designed to reduce gang violence and help those involved in gangs to live a life free of crime. Anyone can refer into CIRV - whether that is someone who needs help themselves to get out of ‘gang life’ or someone who is concerned about someone they know. Website. cirv-nsd.org.uk Tel. 07539 183975 ​
Relate Northamptonshire Relationship counselling for individuals and couples, family counselling, counselling for children and young people and sex therapy. Website.relate.org.uk/centre/northamptonshire Tel. 0300 100 1234 ​
Community Law Service Specialist social welfare advice provider including specialist advice, casework and representation currently in the fields of Welfare Benefits, Debt, Financial Capability, Energy Advice, Housing and Immigration. Website. communitylawservice.org.uk Tel. 01604 631038 (Northampton Office) Tel. 01933 313020 (Rushden and Wellingborough Offices)