Victim Support - RUOK

Young victims' stories

“Since it happened I can't sleep, I don't feel like eating or going out anywhere. My dad says I'm lucky ‘cos I just handed my phone over – he says if I hadn't of I could have been hurt too – he said at least a phone can be replaced. It's just not right that someone else can come and take your things from you…” Lisa aged 12

“I'd never seen so much blood before – not in real life anyway. I can't get it out of my head, I see it anywhere – when I'm at school in my lessons, when I'm on the bus home, even when I'm watching TV. My teachers are getting at me because I can't concentrate, my schoolwork is suffering – I don't think my mum and dad even know that I really saw anything as we were just driving through the town when it happened. I just want to know if the man was OK. I feel like I'm going mad – I just wish there was someone I could talk to about how I'm feeling” Ismail aged 14

“I used to be their friend. Now they don't want to know me. They keep calling me names and pulling my hair, they push me around. They say that I'm not good enough to be one of them anymore. I don't know what I did wrong – what's wrong with me? I just want to be happy and normal, like everyone else. Sometimes I just wish that I could die” Lauren aged 10

“They're always at it. Especially when he's got a drink in him. My dad starts shouting and picking at my mum and then she starts crying, which makes it even worse. He hits her and pulls her around. I don't think that they know I can hear it. I just lie in my bed crying – wishing it would stop, sometimes my little brother will come and get in bed with me – he must hear it too. My mum says she fell over and bumped her head on the sofa, or something like that – how do I let her know I know? How can I help her? Why does my dad have to hit her? Will he kill her? I'm so scared. Simon aged 13

“He held the knife up at my throat. He said he would use it if I didn't hand over my money. I only had £2 on me. Would he have really used it? It was such a big knife – like the one in my kitchen. The woman across the road, walking her dog didn't even help me – why not? I feel so scared now; I get panic attacks just taking the rubbish out. My mates don't seem to understand – I can't believe they ran away and didn't help me. I wet the bed last night; I had to get up really early to change it before my mum saw. Who will help me? I feel as though my world is falling apart.” Gita aged 14

Everyone deals with things differently – there is no right or wrong answer. You might feel angry, guilty or worried. You may feel sick, have headaches or stomach aches, stop eating and find it hard to concentrate at school or college. You might feel scared it might happen again. ALL these reactions are normal and in time, with some help, will fade. R U OK? Can help you to deal with these feelings. Our help is safe, free and confidential – why not give us a try?

Most crimes are one off events – although if you are not careful and don't think about your safety you might be putting yourself at risk of it happening again. Look at our Safety Tips page to find out what you can do to make yourself safer, when you're out and about. Or you could give us a call and have a chat – we might be able to give you some ideas.