In 1996, a violent crime occurred every 19 seconds and someone was murdered every 27 minutes in the United States. The estimated number of personal crime victimizations in the nation was 9.4 million in 1996. An estimated five out of six people will be victims of either completed or attempted violent crimes at least once in their lives. Overview The trauma of victimization is a direct reaction to the aftermath of crime.
Crime victims suffer a tremendous amount of physical and psychological trauma.
The physical injury suffered by victims may be as apparent as cuts, bruises, or broken arms and legs. However, it is not uncommon for victims to be fatigued, unable to sleep, or have increased or decreased appetites. Many victims believe that the stress caused by victimization endangers them to physical problems later in life. Victims and survivors suffer financially when their money or jewelry is taken, when their property is damaged, when their medical insurance does not cover all expenses, and when they must pay funeral costs. The primary emotional injuries of victimization cause both immediate and long-term reactions to victims, their loved ones and, sometimes, their friends.