Therapeutic Challenges of Working with Victims of Serious Crime: Who cares?

Stephen Regel

There is significant evidence in the literature, which highlights the psychological impact of serious crime on individuals, though the impact on families and communities is less well documented. Furthermore, most studies are focused on populations in the US, whereas the impact on those affected by serious crime in the UK, including murder and manslaughter is less well documented. Those impacted by serious crime e.g. violent physical assault, rape, acts of terrorism and bereavement following homicide often experience a variety of complex challenges, which range from coping with the vagaries of the justice system to developing psychological problems e.g. depression and complex post traumatic stress disorder. This paper will aim to address a range of issues affecting victims and the therapeutic challenges of dealing with ongoing rather than post traumatic stressors. Attention will also be paid to therapeutic challenges of working with traumatic bereavement following homicide, the general lack of specialist services, and the issues created by having to adhere to ‘best practice’ therapy guidelines, which may not always be appropriate or meet the needs of this vulnerable population. Case examples will be used throughout to illustrate the issues raised above.