Are you a Victim?

Intolerance, hate and extremist can leave especially challenging scars and trauma. However, overcoming them, even if difficult, is possible!

Each person is different, each having their own timelines, resources, views and desires. Moreover, all crimes are different.

What does this mean?

When dealing with the impacts of hate and extremism, many different reactions are possible, without correct or incorrect answers.

Below, we summarise some key healthy and advisable coping strategies.

Information seeking

Most times, information is a priority, which can include details on the criminal justice system, how to seek for help, but also information on how others react in similar situations. It shows that you are not alone!

Engaging in activities to regain control

Choose to engage in things that make you be in control of your life.

Activism

You can apply your experience to change society.

Giving time to heal

Allow yourself to acknowledge what you've been through, and don't rush healing.

Seeking support

By talking to others about your situation, you can learn to manage your emotions and create solutions.

Emphasise the positive side of survival

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". Focus on being a survivor, to reflect your strength and recovery.

These are often presented as positive coping strategies. However, often other strategies can be followed.

Other Strategies:

Avoiding reminders of the crime;
Behavioural avoidance (e.g., using drugs);
Denial and self-deception;
Dissociation;
Obsessing about the crime.

Despite common, these are likely not to help you recover from the incident or progress forward in the long term.

As such, there are some key recommendations to manage and respond to your trauma:

Routine

→ Structure your time and remain occupied.
→ Maintain as normal as a schedule as possible.
→ Refrain more major life changes.

Support

→ Seek support from others, including professionals.
→ Talk about it.

Lifestyle

→ Adopt sports-habits, and alternate these periods with active rest.
→ Stay hydrated and eat balanced meals.
→ Try to stay away from addictive substances.

Moreover, be mindful that the body has complex ways of dealing with trauma, such as:

Re-experiencing the trauma

You can experience recurrent memories of the incident, either consciously or during dreams, or get uncomfortable with situations that remind you of it.

Avoidance

You can avoid activities or memories that connect to the incident, feeling less interest and hope.

Physical responses

You can struggle to have balanced sleep patterns, difficulties in concentrating, or other issues, which might not appear related to the trauma, but are most likely triggered by it.

All of these reactions are normal! However, this does not mean you should seek or learn adaptative ways to move on from it. Take your time!