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:

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.

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.

Never tell a victim that it could have been worse, or that they're lucky to be alive.

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.

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.

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.

Ten steps to an effective crime prevention presentation

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