03-26-2012, 04:04 PM
Figured this would be the best place to put this. I recently came into a unique situation of being indirectly involved with two distinct crime incidents as a peripheral observer: in one case as a link to the family and friends of victims, in the other as a link to the family/friends of the perpetrator of a terrible crime. One thing struck me: the reactions, emotions, and anguish is almost identical. Victims' families and families of the perp go through parallel periods of shock, surprise, disbelief, ostracism, accusation, and upheaval in their lives. It's as if they are tied to the common experience and their paths are the same no matter which side of the crime they fall on.
One key difference is the amount of support from the public/strangers. For the victim there is plenty, although that can be a mistaken assumption because no one REALLY wants to be around someone who has suffered so badly. People disappear quickly from their lives. But for the families of the criminal there is little or no support; it's as if they're guilty by extension. There are no support groups for the families of the jackass who shoots up campus or the serial rapist disguised as a sunday school teacher. They didn't do those things, yet they pay along with the criminal.
Thoughts?
One key difference is the amount of support from the public/strangers. For the victim there is plenty, although that can be a mistaken assumption because no one REALLY wants to be around someone who has suffered so badly. People disappear quickly from their lives. But for the families of the criminal there is little or no support; it's as if they're guilty by extension. There are no support groups for the families of the jackass who shoots up campus or the serial rapist disguised as a sunday school teacher. They didn't do those things, yet they pay along with the criminal.
Thoughts?