Text on Screen
Once upon a crime
Narrator
Once upon a crime there was a person, you.
You experienced a traumatic event.
You are one of between 60 and 65 percent of Australians who report at least one traumatic event in their lives.
You or someone you know has experienced a violent crime - a traumatic event. This DVD is about you and your recovery. During the event you may have felt threatened, you may have been injured or you may have seen someone else being injured. At the time you may have been really frightened, felt scared or felt there was nothing you could do to help. Even though the event may have passed, you may not feel the same as before and life has not returned to normal. You are not feeling okay.
At the time of the event your brain works with your body to help you survive by doing one of three things: fight, freeze or flight. And it worked. You survived. However, your brain and body still need time to rest and recover and to heal and digest the event. At this stage you may not feel quite right. At times you may find yourself entering another world - trauma world. Where memories and thoughts of the event are real and distressing. You may experience some of the following:
- You may experience isolation and may feel like you want to be alone.
- You may experience ups and downs and have unwanted thoughts like guilt, blame or fear.
- You may be easily startled or scared.
- You may have distorted thoughts and not feel yourself.
- You may feel frustrated with the justice system.
- You may experience little or no energy.
- You may feel tired and at other times too alert.
- You may be irritable and angry.
But remember - you have survived.
Relax. It won't always be like this. In time, trauma world will fade.
Remember you are safe and you can assist your recovery by:
- talking to someone you trust
- returning to everyday routine as soon as you can
- doing something you enjoy
- staying in touch with family and friends.
Remember, check the intake of alcohol, coffee, cigarettes and sugary foods because they can keep your body overstimulated. Remember to make sense of the event. Our brain can replay it over and over like a nightmare. Remember, it's common for sleep to be all over the place. Remember, you will be okay.
Still struggling? Tell someone. Tell your folks, your partner, your cat, a VACP worker, GP or counsellor.
This DVD is presented by Western Region Health Center Victims Assistance Program.
Text on Screen
Once upon a crime
'Once upon a crime' was developed by Western Region Health Centre's Victims Assistance Counselling Program (VACP) with the assistance of an Internal Grant.
Animation: Stephen Elliget
Additional Illustrations: Luke Jeffs, Andrew Morgan
Sound Design: Jonathan Elliget
Narration: Noni Hazelhurst
Project Coordinator: Grant Broadbent-Smith
Western Region Health Centre DVD working group:
Anne Dillon, Brendan McCusker, Grant Broadbent-Smith, Megan Ward, Sally Keegan, Sandra Plant
Thanks to these fine people who assisted in the development and production of the DVD:
Werribee Youth Task Force, Pete Dillon, Joy FM, Rick Kane, Brett Woodward, Jennifer Witcombe, Robin Gregory, Neville Braybrook, Carolyn Williams and the lived experiences of VACP clients.
If you have been a recent Victim of Crime please contact VOC helpline 1800 819 817
Visit www.wrhc.com.au for more information about Western Region Health Centre
[Western Region Health Centre logo]
Video ends
Updated