Help for Child Victims of Crime
When children or youth are victims of crime, this can be very hard for parents as well as the young victims. Parents may not know what to do to help their child through this difficult time. Children and youth may be victims of a range of crimes including assault, robbery, related offences, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and theft.
Young people may be victimized by adults, older children or youth, or their peers—by strangers, acquaintances, boyfriends or girlfriends, family members, adults in positions of trust or authority, or others involved in their lives.
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.
If your child is a victim of crime and requires assistance, or if you just want to talk to someone, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808. There is support for both children and parents.
Steps to Take If You or Your Child Needs Help
- If your child is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, contact the police or ambulance services, by calling 911 or the emergency number for your community.
- If the situation is not urgent but you want to contact the police, call the non-emergency number for police in your community.
- If you’re not sure about talking to the police, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.
- If you believe that your child, or another child, is in need of protection, contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development by calling the Helpline for Children at 310-1234 (no area code required).
- A Victim Service Worker can help you and your child directly and can also refer you to other community agencies. Contact VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 for more information about programs in your community.
- You and your child may be eligible for services and supports provided under the Crime Victim Assistance Program. Please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 for more information.
- If you have questions about crimes against children or your child’s rights, don’t hesitate to ask a Victim Service Worker or call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.
How can you help support your child?
Parents can be a great source of support to their child after a crime. Here are a few ways:
Assure your child that he or she did the right thing in telling someone. Many children are afraid they will not be believed. Some have been threatened not to tell anyone and may be afraid that they shouldn’t have.
React calmly. When parents act very upset, children are more likely to blame themselves. This may make them think that it is better not to talk about bad things.
Let your child know that talking about their feelings usually helps, and be there to listen. Children may have a complex range of feelings about what happened. Listening in a supportive way without judgement is very helpful.
Reassure your child that what happened is not his or her fault. Children often worry that they are to blame for the incident, particularly if they were victimized while breaking a rule (e.g., being somewhere they weren’t supposed to be). Parents can help by not being judgmental and by reinforcing that the crime was not the child’s fault.
Discuss with your child any steps to take. It helps children to know what will happen next and why (e.g., going to the doctor, talking to a victim service worker, or reporting to the police). With an older child, options can be explored, and decisions made together.
Watch for signs that your child needs additional support or help. Children may have delayed reactions to victimization, or may mask their feelings for a period of time. Also, some children who were victimized in the past may have negative emotions re-emerge when something significant happens in their lives. You may see your child reacting in a number of ways including acting out and withdrawing. There are a range support programs available to assist you and your child. If you have questions or want to know more about support programs call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.
Understand your own feelings and take care of yourself. It is important for parents to understand their feelings and needs and to take care of themselves. Otherwise, they may have difficulty keeping their emotions in check and focusing on their child’s needs. Many parents find it beneficial to get short-term support to help process their own feelings about the situation. Call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 for more information.
Reporting to Police
Parents may wish to report a crime against their child to the police. This may help ensure children’s safety as well as successful prosecution of persons who commit crimes against them. Older children and youth may have their own views about reporting the crime. For some, involving the justice system is important to the healing process. Victims can get help from victim service programs and other agencies whether or not the police are involved.
Going to Court
If your child is going to court they may be able to testify under certain protective conditions. For example, they may be able to testify behind a screen, by video conference, and have the support of a victim court support workers. It is important to contact a Victim Service Worker well in advance of the trial date. Please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 for more information.
Children in Need of Protection
The Helpline for Children (310-1234 – no area code required) is the place to call to make a child protection report or ask questions about reporting. When a report is made to a child protection social worker, the worker will determine the most appropriate response. This may include, among other things, making a report to the police or conducting a child protection investigation jointly with a police investigation.
If anyone believes that a child (a person under 19) needs protection, that person has a legal duty to report the matter to the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Call the Helpline for Children at 310-1234. If you have questions about child protection, you can call VictimLink BC.
Youth Against Violence Line
The Youth Against Violence Line is a service that young people can call to seek assistance or report incidents of youth violence or crime. Parents can also call for information on topics such as gangs, bullying, harassment/intimidation, or other youth related issues. Call the Youth Against Violence Line at 1-800-680-4264 or visit the Youth Against Violence Line website.
If your child is a victim of crime and requires assistance, or if you just want to talk to someone, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808. There is support for both children and parents.