The mental health impact of criminal violence is substantial. Other findings from The National Women's Study suggest that PTSD was much more likely to develop after violent crime experiences than other types of potentially traumatic events such as accidents or natural disasters. These data indicate that violence-related PTSD is endemic among Americans. There is also evidence that violence affects the longer-term physical health as well as the mental health of its victims. Many violence victims are no longer able to see the world as a safe place, as a just place, or as a place with meaning.
Violence often breeds a cynicism and distrust that unravel the very fabric of social life.
Violence and fear of violence have taken away Americans' freedom. Fear of crime restricts freedom of people to go where they want, when they want. More than one person in five limited the types of places he or she will work. More than one person in four has installed a home security system. Fear of crime and fear of crime-related restrictions on lifestyle and behavior take a much heavier toll on women than on men.