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+Psychological First Aid+
The Older Victim
The greatest gift you can give to a crime
victim, especially older victims, is psychological first aid. Administering such
assistance is not complicated and only requires a few minutes of your time. The
techniques involved in the application of psychological first aid are many, and are
limited only to your imagination.
So what exactly is
psychological first aid?
Anything you say or do that restores a sense of
power or control to a crime victim is a form of psychological first aid. Since no
one is really prepared to deal with becoming a crime victim, when crime strikes it
always puts the victim at a psychological disadvantage. They no longer feel in
control of their own life. They feel weak, vulnerable, and are often consumed by a
sense of hopelessness.
Here are some examples of how
psychological first aid should and should not be administered:
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Always ask for permission to seat yourself when
in the victim's home. You might also ask for a glass of water. Whether thirsty or
not, this seemingly simple request lets the victim experience a bit of control.
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Do not begin a victim interview by immediately
asking questions about the crime. Unless circumstances make such questioning
imperative, it's better to allow the victim some time to regain their composure.
After they have calmed down, ask if they feel like answering a few questions, or if
they would mind telling you what occurred. Again, getting their personal input
helps the healing process. |
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Never tell a victim that it could have been
worse, or that they're lucky to be alive. |
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Regardless of how much the victim might have
contributed to their own victimization--an initial interview is not the time to point
out their mistakes. If anything, look for something they did right, or nearly right,
and compliment them on their good sense.
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During an initial interview, never inform a crime
victim of what's expected of them should the criminal offender be apprehended. Such
information can only add to their anxiety, and has even led some to commit suicide.
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Above all else--be a good
listener. Avoid giving the impression that you're pressed for time, or that you're
only interested in the facts, and just the facts. An impersonal approach might have
worked for Dragnet's, Sgt. Friday, but has no place in professional investigations.
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 Next Topic :
Ten steps to an effective crime prevention presentation
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