Understanding Victimization
Victimization is the event or incident leading to a victim state. Victimizing events tend to be of high intensity and short duration (e.g. robbery, assault, serious accident, sudden death). Essentially, there are three stages of victimization:
1. Impact – Initial Reaction
- Signs and symptoms of stress to traumatic events such as shock, numbness, helplessness, vulnerability, disorientation, perspiration, physical agitation, disbelief, anger, fear, frustration, confusion, guilt, grief, etc.
2. Recoil
- Cognitive attempts to deal with the event
- Denial – trying to go on as though nothing has happened
- Blaming others
- Self blame – “I must have deserved this”
- Obsessive – repeated return to the event and its ramifications
- Compensatory fantasies and planning – phobic reactions
3. Reorganization
- Return to a state of equilibrium
- Victim calls upon supports for help
- Focus on life-enhancing rather than simply existing
- Obsessive fears and reactions are modulated
- Victim is better able to cope with occasional flashbacks
- Victim moves toward making life better rather than simply living day-to-day
Secondary victimization may occur because the victim is subjected to someone who:
- Cannot comprehend what the victim is struggling with
- Minimizes or disparages the experience and feelings of the victim
- Is in denial of their own losses and therefore it is difficult to recognize someone else’s suffering
- Lacks relevant information about post-traumatic stress disorder
- Believes in the “Just World Theory” that says the world is rational and the consequences are in accordance with justice (people get what they deserve)
