Becoming the victim of a crime is one of the most horrifying things someone can deal with. Of course, we all want to be safe and protect ourselves and our surroundings, but dealing with being a victim can leave us feeling like we’re incapable of that.

If you’ve had a crime committed against you, and you’re at a loss of what to do about it, you’re not alone.  These are the best steps to take to get back to a normal life once again.

Talk to a Mental Health Professional

After going through something traumatic like a crime, the first thing you should do is seek out a professional’s help.  Mental health professionals can help you talk through what you experienced, what it felt like for you, and how you think about it.

Over time you can heal and learn to move on from it, but under their guidance, you can rest assured that nobody’s rushing you, and there’s no timeline to heal.  You deserve to be able to take the time you need.

Consider Moving And Starting Fresh

Sometimes the best way to move on is to get out of the space where the crime was committed.  If it was in your home, that could mean moving to a new apartment or house and starting fresh.

If you can’t move, you can instead put in the time and money to get a good security alarm system and put in other safety features that will protect you.  Rearrange your home and change things up so that you have a fresh perspective on things and you can breathe a little easier.  

Allow Yourself to Feel the Hurt and Fear

It’s okay to hurt and be upset about what happened to you.  Some people assume that it means you’re strong if you can block it out and move on, but pushing it down and forgetting about it will only lead to long-term trauma.  You have to be honest with yourself about what you feel and what you experience.  Allow yourself to feel upset, angry, hurt, whatever you’re feeling.

You may feel like you’re going through grief for what your life was like before this happened, and that’s normal.  Take the time; you need to work through these emotions.

Remember to Take Care of Your Body and Mind

Both your body and mind need care.  Take the time to emphasize eating enough, going for walks, talking with friends, and treating yourself kindness.  Anxiety and stress from trauma can lead to many people forgetting to eat or feeling like they can’t leave their homes, so it’s important that you remember you need these things in order to be okay.  Accidentally starving yourself because you forget to eat isn’t an option that’s good for your health.

Healing is a process, not a straight line.  It can take time to ensure that you’re back to whatever level you want to reach: and that’s okay!  Take The time you need, those who love you will understand, and you owe it to yourself.