Understanding Victimization

Victimization is the event or incident leading to a victim state. Victimizing events tend to be of high intensity 

and short duration (e.g. robbery, assault, serious accident, sudden death). Essentially, there are three stages

of victimization: 

1. Impact - Initial Reaction 

• All signs and symptoms of stress to traumatic events 
• Emotional shock, numbness, helplessness, vulnerability 

2. Recoil

• Cognitive attempts to deal with the event
• Denial - trying to go on as though nothing has happened 
• Blaming others 
• Self blame - “I must have deserved this” 
• Obsessive - repeated return to the event and its ramifications 
• Compensatory fantasies and planning - phobic reactions 

3. Reorganization 

• Return to a state of equilibrium
• Victim calls upon supports for help 
• Focus on life-enhancing rather than simply existing 
• Obsessive fears and reactions are modulated 
• Victim is better able to cope with occasional flashbacks 
• Victim moves toward making life better rather than simply living day-to-day

Secondary victimization may occur because the victim is subjected to someone who: 

a) Cannot comprehend what the victim is struggling with 

b) Minimizes or disparages the experience and feelings of the victim 

c) Is in denial of their own losses and therefore it is difficult to recognize someone else’s suffering 

d) Lacks relevant information about post traumatic stress disorder 

e) Believes in the “Just World Theory” that says the world is rational and the consequences are in accordance  with justice (people get what they deserve)