You can help others cope with trauma by spending time with them and listening carefully. Most people recover better when they feel connected to others who care about them. Some people choose not to talk about their experiences, and others may need to discuss their experiences. For some, talking about things that happened can help [...]
[ Read More ]Victims of Crime Counselling and Compensation Services - Victoria, Australia
Victims of Crime Counselling and Compensation Services Victoria provides a free, prompt and professional compensation & counselling referral and support service to victims of crime.
Crime Compensation can be up to $100,000.00. Compensation to a primary victim of crime can be to $70,000.00 and a secondary victim of crime to $60,000.00.
Complete our ONLINE ENQUIRY FORM NOW for immediate assistance or CALL 1800 000 055 for advice.
“Supporting the rights of Victims of Crime in Victoria, Australia”
www.victimsofcrime.com.au
Victims of Crime Eligibility:
Victims of crime may be eligible for crime compensation and other support services if:
- You are the victim and have been directly injured as the result of a crime
- You have suffered either physically or psychologically by the crime
- The crime was reported to police and you have a police statement
- The crime was committed in the last two years in Victoria, Australia*
- You are related to a victim of crime
Crimes that have impacted victims may include : physical assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, domestic abuse, armed robbery, violent robbery, aggravated burglary, child abuse, child sexual abuse, indecent assault, home invasion, stalking, threats to kill, workplace assault, murder, culpable driving, dangerous driving, road rage, breach of an intervention order or any other violent crime committed against a person. Matters such as childhood sexual abuse and ongoing domestic violence may have occurred beyond two years*.
NEWS AND INFORMATION
Archive for the 'Articles' Category
Individuals with PTSD, depression, and other mental disorders have an increased risk of physical health problems. For example, there is substantial evidence linking depression with cardiovascular disorders, and there is increasing evidence of a similar association for PTSD. The etiology is thought to be multiply-determined, involving behavioral, psychological, and biological processes that combine over time [...]
[ Read More ]The effects of PTSD extend far beyond its symptoms. PTSD can affect both physical and mental health as well as quality of life in multiple ways. For example, Cognitive Processing Therapy improves physical health and sleep. Prolonged Exposure improves physical health and social functioning. Clients treated with Prolonged Exposure report better social functioning , and [...]
[ Read More ]Several short-term psychosocial treatment programs for PTSD have been developed and found useful. The majority of these programs fall within the domain of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. The most studied program is Prolonged Exposure in which patients repeatedly relive their traumatic event and systematically confront trauma-related situations that evoke unrealistic anxiety. Variants of Exposure Therapy have [...]
[ Read More ]After exposure to an extremely traumatic experience, some individuals re-experience the traumatic event in recollections, flashbacks, nightmares or after encountering reminders of the event. They may also develop emotional numbing and avoid situations that trigger unpleasant memories. Despite emotional numbing, many individuals with PTSD also have increased arousal or alertness. Re-experiencing the traumatic event. Most [...]
[ Read More ]Approximately 10% of all children in developed countries suffer from some form of abuse. The impact of such abuse is often long lasting and often persists into adulthood. Such children are more likely to become involved in criminal behaviour and have substance use issues. Only about half of suspected abuse noted by professionals, such as [...]
[ Read More ]If you have been suffering from a trauma related nightmare for more than several months practice this exercise: Write down the disturbing dream and then change the nightmare anyway you wish and then write down the changed dream. Use imagery to rehearse your new dream scenario for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, describe your old nightmare and [...]
[ Read More ]Anxiety Disorders are often the result of trauma. These disorders can include panic, generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive, social phobia and posttraumatic stress. Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks accompanied by four of the following symptoms: palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, lightheaded and a fear of dying. Generalized Anxiety Disorder [...]
[ Read More ]In certain populations it has been shown that there is an increased risk of PTSD in those who have a prior diminished mental or physical health status. Those with diminished physical or mental health prior to a traumatic experience are more likely to react poorly to the traumatic event as well as affect the coping strategies adopted [...]
[ Read More ]A recent study has shown that adults with alopecia areata are significantly more likely to have a history of childhood and lifetime traumatic events than adults without this hair condition. Early traumatic life events therefore could be one of the factors that increase the vulnerability for developing alopecia in later life. Other studies have shown [...]
[ Read More ]Recent research has indicated that migraine suferers are more apt to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population, Therefore the identification and treatment of PTSD in migraine sufferers may be an important part of their care that may reduce migraine-related disability. The study found that PTSD was present in 30.3% of those with chronic daily headache and [...]
[ Read More ]A recent study has found a found an association between PTSD severity and health risk as measured by metabolic syndrome (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio and fasting measures of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, serum triglycerides and plasma glucose concentration), an important established predictor of morbidity and mortality. It is therefore quite possible that [...]
[ Read More ]In the first 2-3 hours after assault. 1. Physical shaking, trembling and shock. 2. Scared, worried, terrified and confused. After this initial period. 1. Symptoms of depression, exhaustion and restlessness, together with post traumatic stress disorder. Medium to long term effects. 1. Heightened fear, anger, anxiety, guilt, self blame, loss of trust, flashbacks and [...]
[ Read More ]A recent study has shown that Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a predictor of suicide. Individuals exposed to trauma, such as a physical assault, and go on to develop PTSD, are up to three times more likely to attempt suicide compared with those individuals who did not develop PTSD. Treatment considerations for those individuals suffering from PTSD should therefore [...]
[ Read More ]A recent study showed that women who suffer ongoing physical abuse are almost three times as likely to use hospital emergency departments than women who are not. Those that suffer from emotional abuse also use significantly more health services than those not emotionaly abused, some 33% more. Women whose abuse is ongoing use the most [...]
[ Read More ]Children’s response to trauma may differ in important ways to those seen in adults. Children may find it hard to understand what has happened. They may be unable to describe how they are feeling and instead express themselves in other ways. The following behaviours may be seen in children following trauma: 1. Reliving the trauma. [...]
[ Read More ]Recent research suggests that sexually abused boys are ten times more likely to contemplate suicide in adulthood, and that childhood abuse is a significant risk factor for suicide in men, which is three to four times more likely than in women. Men also, as opposed to women, are less likely to talk about their feelings, [...]
[ Read More ]Childhood trauma has been shown to be a very important risk factor for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Recent research has show than exposure to childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse as well as neglect is associated with a greater than five fold increased risk of developing CFS. Individuals suffering from CFS should be screened for childhood trauma [...]
[ Read More ]It has been estimated by the World Health Organization that suicide is the eighth leading cause of death. While more women attempt suicide more men die from suicide by a factor of almost 5:1. Risk factors for suicide include domestic violence, low socioeconomic status, low education, unemployment, increasing age and marriage. Women exposed to violent domestic [...]
[ Read More ]Victims of Crime Counselling Services is attempting to promote a Say No to Criminal Violence Day on the 21st of August of each year. In order to achieve this objective we need support from the public and the media. If you would like to be involved in the promotion and organization of this day kindly [...]
[ Read More ]Post trauma some people go onto to develop certain worldviews including the following: 1. The world is very dangerous. 2. I have no control over situations. 3. I am responsible for what has happened. Cognitive Therapy aims to modify cognitive distortions arising post trauma thereby reducing the intensity of the associated emotional reaction. It is [...]
[ Read More ]A recent study of multigenerational family members initially exposed to trauma has suggested that the genetic makeup of some individuals makes them more vulnerable to PTSD, depression and anxiety. This study suggested that around 40% of variation shown in PTSD sufferers was acountable in terms of gentic factors and the balance attributable to nongenetic factors. [...]
[ Read More ]Recent research has suggested that increased arousal, rapid heart and respiration rates, at the time of trauma may predict subsequent Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Elevated heart rate and respiration rate immediately following a traumatic event are shown to be associated with subsequent PTSD, suggesting a possible starting point for examining the mechanics of this disorder.
[ Read More ]Bereavement is often seen as distict from depression and subsequently not warranting the same concern for treatment. In fact there is little distinction in the depression that occurs as the result of death or as the result of other negative life events. Treatment considerations should be based on such factors as the duration and intensity [...]
[ Read More ]Victims of crime who do not have a trauma or psychiatric history and who have a good support system and reasonable life circumstances and are motivated for treatment are those most likely to benefit from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. When victims present with co-morbid conditions, such as depression and substance abuse issues, treatments for PTSD will need to [...]
[ Read More ]Approximately 10% of all children in developed countries are victims of abuse. The impact of such abuse is often long lasting with victims often adopting criminal and addictive behaviours in later life. Only about half of all suspected child abuse is currently being reported to authorities. If you are aware that a child is being abuse [...]
[ Read More ]Mental health outcomes following serious trauma may be influenced by a strong ‘sense of purpose’ by the victim. If a victim has a sense of a higher purpose in life, and has a sense of control over their life, their chances of recovery post trauma may be enhanced. Individuals who show resilence, adaptation to disruptions [...]
[ Read More ]50% of heart failure patients are depressed during the history of their disease. Patients with Cardiac Defibrillators are twice as likely to die within 5 years if they also suffer from Posttaumatic Stress Disorder. Both Clinical Depression and Posttraumatic Stree should be considered in the treatment of patients with heart disease.
[ Read More ]How one deals with trauma, namely expectations of helplessness or control, may determine to a great extent how much one is impaired by the traumatic event. Post trauma do not only focus on the negative aspects of the incident, but look at your reslience, what you have learnt and how you can use this experience to [...]
[ Read More ]In a recent study over 30% of trauma victims reported sexual dysfuntion one year post injury, with those suffering the most severe injuries reporting the greatest risk for sexual dysfunction. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression were shown to be very prevalent within patients displaying more dysfunctional behaviour. In managing sexual dysfunction within trauma victims it may therefore be [...]
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