Victim Services 561-297-0500
Victims are not always able or willing to share their reactions with others. Below is a list of some reactions that victims may experience. These are normal reactions to victimization.
| GUILT - I feel as if I did something to make this happen
- If only I had been more careful.
- What did I do to have this happen?
| POWERLESSNESS - Whom can I trust?
- My life has fallen apart.
- I can't seem to get a grip on things anymore.
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| EMOTIONAL SHOCK - I feel so numb
- Why am I so calm?
- Why can't I cry?
| DISORIENTATION - Everything seems so weird.
- The world is turned upside-down.
- I can't pay attention to what I'm doing.
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| DISBELIEF - What has happened to me?
- How could he/she have done this to me?
- Did this really happen?
| RETRIGGERING - I have terrible nightmares.
- I feel that same terror again!
- I keep flashing back to the scene.
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| EMBARRASSMENT - I can't talk to the police about this.
- I don't want anyone to find out what happened.
| DENIAL - Why am I such a mess?
- This shouldn't bother me...
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| SHAME - I feel so dirty
- I'm ashamed to have anyone touch me.
- I look so stupid
| FEAR - I can't stand to be alone.
- I hate the dark now. I am terrified.
- I feel ridiculously paranoid.
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| DEPRESSION - Sometimes I want to die.
- I just don't want to see anyone.
- I don't feel like getting out of bed.
| ANXIETY - I can't eat. I can't sleep.
- My heart just starts pounding.
- I am restless. I can't sit still.
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| ANGER - I hate him/her. I could kill him.
- I could smash something to pieces.
- Why me? I hate this world.
| DESPAIR - I'll never feel normal again.
- This event has traumatized me forever.
- This pain is overwhelming.
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