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What relatives, friends, neighbours and acquaintances of the victim should know and observe

continuously suffering from of a crime. For many people, it is at first alarming to discover that things you normally read in the newspaper or see and hear on television or on the internet have suddenly become reality in their immediate vicinity. This may trigger feelings that you never had and that you - perhaps - don't want to have. These include above all fear, rage, powerlessness, thoughts of revenge and helplessness. It is understandable and normal if you have feelings of this kind. In your own interest and in the interest of the victim living in your environment, however, it is important that you come to terms with these feelings. If you fail to do so, you - with your feelings - may put an additional strain on the aggrieved person in your vicinity.

However, you need not deal with your experiences and feelings alone. You can talk confidentially about them with friends who are not affected by the crime. In many facilities and institutions which are listed in the List of Support Facilities, you will also find persons from whom you can seek advice and with whom you can talk about your situation, the situation of the aggrieved person in your environment and possibilities for your future actions.

The following paragraphs include some preliminary considerations and notes:

What does this mean for yourself?


What does this mean for you as a colleague?


What does this mean for you as a friend?


What does this mean for you as a neighbour?


What does this mean for you as a relative?


 

Note 1:
If, based on the information you received, you must assume that the victim in your environment has experienced a serious crime and my possibly be threatened by further crimes, you should inform the police even without the consent of the victim.

Note 2:
Independently of your relationship to the victim, you may have to testify as witness in the course of investigative proceedings. For more detailed information on your evidence as witness, refer to Your Rights / Criminal Proceedings # Investigative Proceedings.