Failing the Victim

But, there is a majority  of police officers who probably choose to follow this path because it’s a solid job, maybe  for the moral certitude, maybe they even start out with the right intentions, or it’s a family thing or  they had this dream since they were 6 who knows, the issue is some officer’s need to be de-badged. Their value to the community is not worth the expense and I would bet that at least 3 out 10 crime victims are re-traumatized by a responding officer, the officer assigned to the case. I have a strong feeling the stats would be higher. Some Officers dedicate endless days of unrest to find one single fact in a case that isn’t even the departments greatest priority, while the rest of them identify the amount of work the case will require and simply set it aside. I bet the stats are pretty high on that one too. Meanwhile, The victim becomes a statistic on more then 2 charts. They get a uniform crime report number,  and their names top some digits on a manila folder.

Victims are humans, they are not numbers.

They are not only damaged by thieves, rapists, murderers, gang members, guns, terrorism, violence, domestic assault, child abuse, robberies, swindling, identity theft, stalking, or any other crimes by any degree of criminal that lurks amongst us, but victims are also traumatized by those they count on most to protect them- Police.

No matter what the crime, when not feeling believed, not being openly listened too, by an officer – even their tone, content, and demeanor of police can exacerbate additional trauma in a victim. Detecting favoritism towards the offender or witnessing no consequence to the offender is a horribly terrifying experience. Additionally, it minimizes the victim’s personal worth as a human being and the psychological damages that have been inflicted by the offender are reinforced by the decisions, actions, or inactions by the police. There is no crime that should be treated lightly, and no victim that should be treated as irrelevant. To wear a badge, to be an officer of the law, you should regard the impact that crime of any severity has on victim; and since police officers are the first sign of relief from trauma for the victim, what is said and done to help aid in the victim’s empowerment begins in this contact.

Crime Victims have rights and it is the obligation of the state to ensure that victims know what their rights are, in most states, Law Enforcement has the responsibility to tell a victim of what services are available to them when they respond to a call for help. Failing to do so, is failing the oath- to protect and serve.