Student Mental Health - Twin Cities Campus

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Crime Victimization

Victim of Crime

Crime is often sudden and unexpected. As such, it challenge’s the victim’s sense of predictability, control and security, not only during the crime itself, but often for days, weeks or months afterwards. Higher levels of threat and/or sense of violation during a crime increase the risk for long term emotional, relationship, and educational consequences.

Campuses are associated with much lower crime rates than that of the general population with the unfortunate exception of sexual assault. Most violent crime to students occurs off campus and at night. Students can reduce the risk of being a victim such as limiting the consumption of alcohol, staying to well-lit populated areas, traveling in groups, paying attention to the environment and avoiding openly displaying valuable property. However, even good adherence to such guidelines can not guarantee against becoming a victim of crime.

Student Victims of crime may experience reduced ability to attend to their educational responsibilities. However, they may not be aware of how to best approach their class instructors to address the academic effects of crime (link to Glen’s text). Victims of crimes also have rights regarding the legal aspects of their case including the right to information regarding the offender, right to participate in prosecution, right to protection from harm and right to apply for financial assistance (link to rights).

The following topics and resources will be useful to those who have been or know a victim of crime.