Supporting others

If someone you know has been affected by crime, there are ways you can support them.

Crime can affect people in many ways. It doesn’t matter if a crime has happened directly to a person, or to someone else. People are all affected differently.

Some people might feel:

• angry;
• confused;
• upset;
• anxious;
• stressed;
• overwhelmed; and
• Scared

Physical reactions to being affected by crime can include:

• headaches or dizziness;
• muscle tension or pain;
• stomach problems;
• loss of appetite;
• chest pain or a faster heartbeat; and
• sexual problems.

They might also:

• find it hard to concentrate or do everyday things;
• blame themselves, even though it’s never their fault; and
• pull away from other people.

There is no right or wrong way to feel after crime.

If you’re worried about someone, we’re here to help.

If you know someone who has been affected by crime, you can help them in different ways.

They may not know they have been affected, or they may not be ready to ask for help.

In the meantime, you can:

• make sure they know you’re there for them;
• listen, and reassure them;
• let them know support is available from us, when they’re ready;
• offer to go to appointments with them;
• recommend they see their GP for any physical issues; and
• help with everyday things, like housework or childcare.

When you’re supporting someone, try to avoid:

• making judgements;
• telling them what to do;
• saying anything that makes them feel it’s their fault;
• taking their anger or other feelings personally;
• rushing them to make decisions; and
• saying anything that makes them feel like a burden.

If you’d like help supporting someone you know, you can download our self-help app, My Support Space, or contact us.

To get support from us, you can:

• Call us: 0808 168 9291;
• Start a live chat; or
• Fill in our online form.

Further information about contacting us can be found here.

A trained support worker will guide you through how support works, and ask you some questions, so that we can understand your needs.