A Victim's Perspective - Essay Example

Despite of this reduction, violent crimes in the country are known to be around 1.2 million (Frieden 2012). These statistics indicate the fact that more than millions of lives and more than millions of families are subjected to violent crimes annually. Despite of the reduction, it needs to be understood that the lives of the victims of the crimes become scarred every year. I have been through one such experience of a violent crime when I recently witnessed the murder of my aunt who stays in my neighbourhood.

This event has left a great impact on me and has hampered my day to day activities. It has crippled me physically, emotionally as well as financially. I had read about the fact that crime victims suffer from many after effects following the violent crimes. These include post traumatic stress disorder, delusions and constant fear. Furthermore, the victims are repeatedly reminded of the crime by the interrogators who question with regard to the crime very often. Anxiety and stress are also known to affect these victims (Cox 2006).

I have been suffering from all of these problems ever since the crime. I cannot sleep well and there is always a constant fear of being interrogated and reminded of the happenings on that day. I was very unlucky to have witnessed the murder of my aunt by the man who loved her and had promised that he would marry her. He is still on the run and I feel helpless. There are many challenges that I have to overcome before I can return my life back to normal. But the biggest challenge that needs to be tackled is to overcome the fear that I face when I want to go outside.

It has been very difficult for me to step out of the house as there is a constant fear that I might be attacked by the murderer or that I might come across a similar incident again. I would have to gather my strength again and be ready to take all the support that my family and friends are offering me. To overcome this difficulty, I would also need to cooperate in a better way with the interrogators so that they can find the criminal and out him behind the bars. This will not be easy as it will require great willpower from my side.

Difficulties have been my way following this incident. I have to answer the queries and questions not only of the investigators but also of the people living around me. This serves to remind me of the incident again and again. I am emotionally unstable as I cannot interact with anyone and my social life has totally ended. Furthermore, I have started visiting a psychiatrist as I am unable to sleep at night. I have not been going to my college as I do not think I will be able to face all the people and talk to anyone.

My part time job has also been affected. Thus I have been drained financially as well. The stress and anxiety does not let me concentrate. I have assessed the fact that I need to come to terms with the event that has happened and face it rather than hide from it. I have tried searching and I have seen man y victims who have been suffering since years. I also watched the documentary “Beyond Conviction” by Rachel Libert (2006) to understand the feelings and emotions of other people suffering like me.

The stories of Angela whose father was murdered and of Lyndy who was raped seem very similar to the situation that I