Help for Victims of Break and Enter
When a person goes into someone’s home without permission and intends to commit a crime, or commits a crime, a residential Break and Enter (B&E) has occurred. B&Es are usually committed for the purpose of stealing something of value.
Breaking and entering is a serious crime, whatever the value of the property stolen or destroyed. The consequences of this crime are not only financial but also emotional. Residential B&Es occur in all neighbourhoods and cross all age, gender, economic, and cultural groups. Perpetrators of B&Es rarely know their victims or target their victims personally.
Each person can have different reactions to victimization. Trauma is the term that describes both the physical and emotional reactions to a traumatic event. Common symptoms of trauma include reviewing parts of the crime over and over in one’s mind, mood swings, shaken sense of personal safety, heightened sense of smell or hearing, emotional detachment, disassociation, and so on. Symptoms associated with trauma may take several weeks to subside. If you’re concerned about your or another’s reactions to a traumatic event, see a doctor, your counsellor, or contact VictimLink BC.
Victims of break and enter may benefit from practical support as well as emotional support. Regaining a feeling of control over one’s life is important to the healing process.
If you are a victim of break and enter and require assistance, or if you just want to talk to someone, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.
Steps to Take if You Need Help
- If your home has just been broken into and the perpetrator is still there or nearby, call 911 from a safe place.
- If you want to report the B&E to the police and the situation is not urgent (i.e., the perpetrator is not around and you are not in danger), call the non-emergency number for police in your community.
- Until police attend, try not to touch or disturb anything in your home, and do not discard anything. Ask for the police file number so you can provide this to your insurance company.
- If you have insurance that may cover stolen or damaged items, contact your insurance company immediately.
- Make a list of what was stolen or damaged, including any identification numbers or photos if you have them.
- Tell someone you trust what happened. Let your neighbours know what happened. If a neighbour, friend, or family member can provide emotional support or help you in practical ways, ask for help.
- If you wish to contact a victim service program, call VictimLink BC at 1- 800-563-0808. A Victim Service Worker can help you directly and can also refer you to other community agencies.
Reporting to the Police
There are a few key reasons why reporting to the police is important, besides wanting the perpetrator to be caught and prosecuted. If you intend to file an insurance claim, a police report will be required.
While B&Es are generally difficult crimes to solve, some victims find that reporting the crime is an important step in putting the crime behind them. You can get help from victim services and other agencies whether or not the police are involved.
You can also contact your local police about programs pertaining to property and neighbourhood safety.
Additional Resources
The BC Crime Prevention Association provides information on crime prevention issues and programs, such as break and enter. For more information, go to their website or call 1-888-405-2288.
The Block Watch Society of BC provides information on setting up and maintaining community “block watch” programs for preventing crime and increasing safety in neighbourhoods. For more information, go to their website or call 1-877-602-3358.
If you are a victim of break and enter and require assistance, or if you just want to talk to someone, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.