Crime Survivors
& Victims Family
Overview

Crime Survivors Are Changed Forever

Sharyn Williams was battered so badly that she nearly lost an ear, facial bones were shattered, and her teeth were dislodged from her broken jaw. Metal plates and screws hold her face together. With no medical insurance, her bills are staggering.

The Florida’s Victims' Compensation Fund provides crime survivors with up to $15,000 for medical bills and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling – not nearly enough to put Sharyn’s life back together.

Hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters wreak havoc and leave grief in their wake. Car wrecks, fires, and freakish mishaps also ruin lives. Illnesses, too, break countless hearts.

Victims of Violent Crimes

Trauma caused by hostile intent rather than by accident or illness adds insult to injury: the memory of another human willfully harming you. Survivors usually suffer some degree of PTSD which may cause haunting memories, emotional blunting, behavioral problems, and suicidal tendencies. You can find help through Resources in the Recap and at Rape-Escape-Options - Survivors.

Victim's Family and Loved Ones

The victim's family and loved ones don't have to suffer alone; there are many experts at coping with grief – and recovering. Start your search with your local police or sheriff's department. Ask them if they can connect you with a local victims services grief counselor.

You can also use a Google, Yahoo, or Bing search. Type in "victim services (add your town or county)" to find one that can connect you with a grief counselor.

There are also thousands of support groups worldwide. Of the handful listed below, some are located in the US and some in the UK. But it doesn’t matter where you’re located. Contact any or all of them. They’ll be happy to help crime survivors from the other side of the globe – and also refer you to a group near you for face-to-face counseling.

• Crime Survivors - Overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and grieving the loss of a loved one to crime (YOU’RE NOW ON THIS PAGE).
• Parents of Murdered Children help parents who’ve lost a child to murder.
• Survivors of Homicide and Witness Justice help the loved ones of murder victims with the legal system and financial aid.
• Michigan Victim Alliance help murder victims' loved ones try to heal.
• Compassionate Friends help murder victim's loved ones help each other.
• Recap of this section.
• Rape Survivors

Go to:
Parents of Murdered Children | Survivors of Homicide | Michigan Victim Alliance | Compassionate Friends | Recap
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