Assault

• What to do if you have been assaulted
• Reducing the Risk of assault
• How to help a victims of assault
• Common suggestions for help

Definition: Unlawful intentional inflicting, or attempted inflicting, of injury upon the person of
another. Aggravated assault is the unlawful intentional inflicting of serious bodily injury or
unlawful threat or attempt to inflict bodily injury or death by means of a deadly or dangerous
weapon with or without actual infliction of injury. Simple assault is the unlawful intentional
inflicting of less than serious bodily injury without a deadly or dangerous weapon or an attempt or threat to inflict bodily injury without a deadly or dangerous weapon.

What to do if you have been assaulted

1. Get a good description of the offender.
   * Carefully observe and remember as much as possible about appearance and behavior.
   * Try to memorize details of the person's physical identity (age, height, weight, color of eyes and hair). A good way to determine height and weight is to compare the person to yourself or someone you know, or to note the person's size and build relative to an object or a doorway located where the crime is occurring.
   * Look for distinguishing personal characteristics, such as scars, tattoos, hair style, or other prominent features.
   * Observe the person's clothing (style and colors), jewelry, gait and manner of speech.
   * If a car is involved in the incident, note the make, model, color and license number.
2. Call the police emergency number immediately to make a crime report. The sooner you report the crime, the more likely it is that the police will be able to collect important
   evidence and apprehend the offender.
3. If the crime occurred in your home or neighborhood, it is a good idea to notify your neighbors and/or the landlord so that they may take extra precautions.
4. Make use of the services that are offered to assist crime victims and their familiesand witnesses to crime. Crime victims often suffer psychological stress, financial losses, andother problems related to being victimized. Victims and witnesses to crime need informationabout the legal process and assistance dealing with police and court procedures. There aremany agencies that offer help. Contact the police department, Victim-Witness Programs inthe District Attorney's Office or the City Attorney's Office, or the office of your legislativerepresentative for information about the services available.

This information is re-printed from the US Dept. of Justice Web-site, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/

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Reducing the Risk of assault

1. Avoid, as much as possible, being alone on foot at night or in isolated places, even during the day.
2. If out at night, stay in well lighted public places.
3. Carry a non-lethal protection device (e.g., whistle).
4. Lock car doors. Don't hesitate to use the horn, loudly, when danger is sensed.
5. Follow your instincts. If a situation "doesn't feel right," get out, get help, get among people.
6. Remember, many larger stores have security guards. Enter one quickly if danger is sensed. See nearest clerk.
7. Keep doors locked when home alone. Don't open door to strangers. Use peepholes, not chain.
8. Practice being conscious of who is in proximity and of a place to quickly go in event of emergency.

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How to help a victims of assault

It is important, when addressing the needs of the victim of a robbery, assault or burglary, for the you to not minimize the extent of trauma to the victim, the victim's family or his/her friends and neighbors. In light of the intensity of some other crimes, one might be tempted to minimize these crimes, particularly if the offense is not aggravated (involving the use of a weapon).

However, this time of victimization involves many of the same dynamics as are found in other crimes which might be considered more major. The sense of violation and loss always accompanies these crimes. A woman victim of a burglary, who came home and found that her personal clothing items had been rifled through, said that she was now unable to wear any of these items. It is the invasion of private space that is so offensive.

Also there is usually a material loss. Since these types of crimes, unless aggravated, are lower on the priority of law enforcement, there is often just a report made for insurance purposes and nothing more. The victim is re-offended by the casualness of some law enforcement personnel regarding the apprehension of the offender. The attitude that "the insurance will take care of it" often disturbs the victim. It is important that you as the victim's supporter assist with any insurance problems that may occur; however, do not reinforce an "insurance will take care of it" attitude. Insurance does not make it right. Often there is the loss of items which are not of much material value, but are priceless from the standpoint of treasured mementos and photographs. These are irreplaceable.

Then there is the safety factor. Anyone who has suffered a robbery or a burglary is concerned about its repetition. If the theft has been from a car the victim will probably from then on, without fail, always lock the car. If it is from the home, increased security measures are taken. This type of crime always leaves the victim less free and more cautious, often in a way that may seem overly cautious. If the counseling agent becomes concerned about the victim becoming paranoid, it is important that he/she not minimize the reason for this caution, and deal with it gently with understanding.

Of course, aggravated robbery involves the threat of major injury or even death, and all of the symptoms akin to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder may be exhibited...shock, fear, anger, nausea, sleeplessness, "unreasonable" fear of others, inability to go to or be in certain places, reliving of the event, etc. It is well for you as a support to the victim to suggest psychological counseling, or the victim's participation in a trauma support group.

Most jurisdictions now have victim and witness assistance programs either in connection with prosecutor's offices or law enforcement. Make yourself aware of these programs and assist the victim in making contact. These offices provide information on compensation for loss, as well as on psychological and support programs.

This document was last updated on January 16, 2000. This information is re-printed from the US Dept. of Justice Web-site, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/

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Common suggestions for help

1. Tremendous anger/bitterness.
   Comment: Feel attack was personal, directed at them as individuals.
   Suggestion: Encourage them to direct anger at offender, healthy to express.
2. Realization of mortality.
   Comment: Even more so than in robbery, there was a belief at some point that they were going to die. If severely injured, they might feel, "I am lucky to be alive".
   Suggestion: Acknowledge fears. Gently guide them toward areas where they do have control.
3. Physical injury.
   Suggestion: Actively encourage them to get the medical attention they need.
4. Time lost from work.
   Comment: Families often lose a source of income.
   Suggestion: Dig for resources. Be creative.
5. Fear of reprisals.
   Comment: May be more likely than in robbery cases.
   Suggestion: Validate the fear. Do what you can to help them feel safe. No guarantees.
6. If assailant is family member or friend: feeling of betrayal.
   Comment: This is an understandable and frequent comment. It may also be hard to avoid contact with offender.
   Suggestion: Handle on case-by-case basis. If appropriate, validate love for the offender and the conflict that this causes for the victim.
7. If result of jealousy: Victim feels very bewildered.
   Comment: Jealousy is a powerful motivator. These situations should be taken very seriously.
   Suggestion: If victim intends to return to the offender, ask if joint counseling is a possibility for the two of them. Assure that the victim did not deserve this treatment.
8. For male victims: shame at "losing" a fight.
   Comment: These emotions can be very irrational.
   Suggestion: If possible, assign a male victim advocate to help him view the incident more realistically. Counseling may be needed in extreme cases.

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