Seeking Feedback: Community Survey

A Student Social Worker at the Support House is currently seeking feedback from members of the Richardson community via a survey. The purpose of the survey is to find out what activity the Support House can organise to meet local needs. For instance a walking group or homework club for children. If you would like a copy of the survey, or would like to have a chat about your ideas please call and ask to speak to Laura or pop in between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

Trauma and Victims of Crime

Well, we've been running for 7 weeks now and things are going well. Richardson Support House is open for visitors to drop in and have a cuppa, sit in the massage chair, and browse through the health and wellbing pamphlets.

One unpleasant thing was that one Friday night a group of nine boys broke six windows of the building. So we arrived for work on Saturday morning to a terrible mess. It is also a pretty expensive exercise, particularly when we aren't very financial yet. It is disheartening when you are trying to be a great service for the community and something like this happens. So, on that note - let's look at people's wellbeing in relation to these types of incidents.

When you have been through a traumatic event, like being a victim or witness of crime, victims and witnesses can suffer emotional distress (see Frieze, Hymer & Greenberg, 1987 or Roberts & Green, 2007). Each person is affected by incidents, and copes with them, in their own unique way. People might feel anger, irritation, anxiety, guilt, fear, and depression. Some people may not react in these ways at all. These responses are all normal reactions.

It is important to look after yourself following these types of incidents. Talk it out if you feel like it, or some people find writing it out helps. There are also support agencies in Canberra that can help:

Victims of Crime Assistance League (ACT) Incorporated (VOCAL) (02) 6295 9600.

Office of the Victims of Crime Coordinator (02) 6217 4431 or 6217 4381

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre 24 hour crisis/support line on (02) 6247 2525

Frieze I, Hymer S, Greenberg M. Describing the crime victim: Psychological reactions to victimization. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (1987) 18:299-315.

Roberts A, Green DL. Crisis intervention with crime victims. In: Victims of crime. (chap. 15) --

Davis RC, Lurigio AJ, Skogan WG, eds. (2007) Sage Publications.