7 minute read
Victim Support
Break-Ins Can Break Us
A few years have passed but Carolyn will never forget how it felt to come home and find her home had been burgled.
“It leaves you with a feeling of uncertainty about entering your own home,” she says. “It stays with you. It’s a fear and anxiety about your safety and whether it will happen again.”
Around 4000 victims of a robbery or burglary are referred to Victim Support each year. While these incidents have become all too common, the impact can be just as traumatic as many serious crimes.
This trauma can be magnified if there have been previous burglaries, there is significant damage, sentimental items taken, or the occupants were home at the time of the burglary.
Burglaries can trigger past trauma from previous events, even experienced decades before. They are especially hard on the elderly, those that live alone, and people already dealing with anxiety and existing mental health issues such as depression.
They can be particularly hard on children. “It’s that feeling of vulnerability and knowing that someone has been in your house – feeling violated,” says Victim Support’s Central Otago Service Co-ordinator, Jacqui Lambeth.
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Victim Support helps those traumatised following a burglary, robbery or home invasion. Usually people are referred by Police, but self-referral is also possible through the Victim Support Contact Centre. “The important thing is that people feel comfortable asking for help,” says Kevin Tso, Victim Support’s Chief Executive.
“Sometimes all people want is a phone call to let them know that someone cares, or some advice and support on how to cope emotionally. “For others, it’s practical advice on making their home more secure, or ongoing support until they get back on track and feel safe in their home again. “People react differently and we’ll support each person’s specific needs.”
A thank you from Victim Support
With your help, we supported 4,031 victims of burglary and theft this year. Kai pai! 10% of our work has been supporting people after burglary and theft*
* Total 40,827 people supported nationwide in 2019/20
Ph 0800 842 846 www.victimsupport.org.nz
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Protect Your Home
• Get to know your neighbours. They can help out when you go away by bringing in the mail, parking in your driveway or mowing your lawn. A house that looks
“lived in” is less attractive to burglars.
• Always lock your car, motorbike, bicycle, even when you are home. If possible, keep all vehicles securely in a garage or out of sight.
• Don’t answer the door to someone you don’t know or don’t want in your home.
If they say they represent a company or organisation, ask for ID. Lock the front door if you’re outside in the garden, or inside working, resting, or studying.
• Keep valuables out of sight. Store receipts, warranties, valuations, and serial numbers in a safe place. Take photos or videos of jewellery, art and other precious items.
• Don’t leave notes on the door saying you’re not home.
• Use good quality locks to secure your doors, windows, sheds and garages.
Install security stays on windows, especially those on ground level.
• Tools can be a target. Don’t leave your tools in your vehicle overnight, keep them secure and out of sight. Engrave your tools with your driver’s licence number, that way, if found, they are easier to return to you. Record the serial numbers of your tools and store the list in a safe location.
• Security signage, CCTV, alarms, and motion sensor lights are all good deterrents.
For tips and advice visit: police.govt.nz/advice&services.
Cameras have become a lot more affordable with options now that don’t require the expense of wiring.
Being able to monitor your property from your phone or get alerts sent when there is motion detected can provide peace of mind.
Ash Ranchhod Victim Support IT Specialist
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A Voice For Victims
An important part of our work is in research and advocacy to help create better outcomes for victims of crime in New Zealand.
Victim Support researcher Dr Petrina Hargrave recently examined the justice needs and experiences of victims of serious crime in New Zealand.
She found that victims’ justice needs such as for support, voice, and information, are rarely met in the criminal justice system. Dr Hargrave is next interested in researching the justice needs and experiences of victims of other crime, including burglary.
“Burglaries are common, but the impact of burglary cannot be underestimated – it can be a frightening and traumatic experience with long lasting emotional and financial consequences,” she says.
Dr Petrina Hargrave, Research and Advocacy
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