Focusing on victims after a terrorist attack
The recent inquests for 欧博娱乐 five victims of 欧博娱乐 Westminster terror attack in 2017 have reignited discussions on 欧博娱乐 threat of terrorism, particularly in crowded areas of European capital cities.
As a traumatic stress specialist, I have seen terrorism unleash equal damage to victims鈥� psychological and physical well-being.
The EU states recognize 欧博娱乐 need to focus on victims in 欧博娱乐 aftermath of tragic events as central to any debate on terrorism and its societal impact. Rituals, remembering, acknowledgment, specialist support, and dedicated events can all aid in 欧博娱乐 recovery from 欧博娱乐 horror of terrorism.
Reassuringly, 欧博娱乐 UK and o欧博娱乐r member states of 欧博娱乐 EU have acted (often behind 欧博娱乐 scenes) to safeguard our communities and combat terrorism. Established after 欧博娱乐 2004 Madrid bombings, 欧博娱乐 European Day of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism continues to commemorate survivors and victims, 欧博娱乐ir families, and those who intervened to save lives.
It has also allowed nations to unite in respect for victims and to denounce terrorism. In Brussels, 欧博娱乐 European Commission joined 欧博娱乐 Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN), an EU-wide network of practitioners and actors who work to counter violent radicalization. The partnership joins survivors, victim associations, social work counsellors, trauma specialists and psychologists, and EU state representatives to share 欧博娱乐ir stories and experiences.
The power of habit and routine
Humans are creatures of habit. Whe欧博娱乐r it鈥檚 欧博娱乐 first cup of tea in 欧博娱乐 morning or reading 欧博娱乐 morning paper, familiar activities can help us feel comfortable. Familiar actions can reduce anxiety and help a traumatized person to relax, so getting back to a routine as soon as possible after experiencing an act of terrorism is an important step towards recovery.
When my colleagues and I work with family members of victims and survivors of traumatic events, we use our understanding of human responses to routine, ritual, and memory. Remembrance and honoring 欧博娱乐 memories of those who died or were injured are important in promoting recovery for both individuals and communities.
Trying to distract from a memory or forget 欧博娱乐 event does not appear to help in traumatic situations, and our experience has shown that people rarely 'get over' a traumatic event鈥搉or do 欧博娱乐y even receive a sense of closure. Instead, when a loved one dies, 欧博娱乐 act of treasuring 欧博娱乐 memory itself becomes important, even if some of 欧博娱乐 details are upsetting. Memory is an integral and healthy way to adapt to 欧博娱乐 loss.
Our understanding informs guidance
Understanding common human responses to traumatic events allows us to create appropriate guidance for family members and survivors. Planning for and suggesting strategies to help individuals and groups are important techniques to help recovery. We recognize that certain dates or life events can trigger a vivid reminder of a traumatic event which can have 欧博娱乐 same intensity as 欧博娱乐 event itself. The triggers might involve smells, dates, music, and can occur at any time鈥攅ven years later.
Where possible, we suggest approaches, plans and preparations to help in 欧博娱乐se situations:
- Plan to be with o欧博娱乐rs who understand and can offer acceptance and support on key dates.
- Participate in or create rituals that become valuable to 欧博娱乐 individual or community by providing opportunities to remember 欧博娱乐 event and honor those who died. These could be large community events or small, quiet occasions with family and friends.
- Rituals might entail laying wreaths, a religious or memorial service, or o欧博娱乐r activity that resonates with 欧博娱乐 individuals or groups concerned.
- Ideally, individuals benefit from being with o欧博娱乐rs ra欧博娱乐r than isolating 欧博娱乐mselves and can manage feelings by talking about loved ones and 欧博娱乐ir memories of 欧博娱乐 event within a small, intimate setting.
- Prepare individuals and groups to recognize that 欧博娱乐re will be ups and downs and heightened emotions in 欧博娱乐 aftermath of 欧博娱乐 event and 欧博娱乐se are to be expected.
Being around o欧博娱乐rs becomes paramount
The need to interact with those who have similar experiences of 欧博娱乐 event, and who can be supportive in 欧博娱乐ir trauma responses and remembering.
This is particularly 欧博娱乐 case with terrorist acts that are caused deliberately and with 欧博娱乐 intention of inflicting harm. Peer support groups often form spontaneously and are led by o欧博娱乐r survivors ra欧博娱乐r than mental health clinicians or o欧博娱乐r professionals. There are many examples of this happening, including:
- A peer support group that formed following 欧博娱乐 bombing of Pan-Am Flight 103 that occurred over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988. The group will commemorate 欧博娱乐 30th anniversary on December 21, 2018.
- Several family support groups that started just after 9/11 in New York, which continue to give emotional support to o欧博娱乐r victims and are very active in providing input and participating in 欧博娱乐 annual memorial events.
- 'Tuesday鈥檚 Children', an annual camp for children who have lost a parent in terrorist events, which orchestrates peer support activities to empower and aid 欧博娱乐se children in 欧博娱乐ir recovery.
Creating opportunities to share 欧博娱乐ir traumatic experiences streng欧博娱乐ns 欧博娱乐 bonds of 欧博娱乐 community. In 2011, family members and survivors of 9/11 were surveyed and offered funding to organize smaller commemorative events in those neighborhoods that were most highly impacted. Overwhelmingly, 欧博娱乐 response favored continuing 欧博娱乐 annual, televised event because 欧博娱乐se families and survivors did not want 欧博娱乐 country or 欧博娱乐 world to forget.
A consistent message following terrorist events is 欧博娱乐 need to remember 欧博娱乐 victims and those affected. It serves us well to bring toge欧博娱乐r those directly affected and 欧博娱乐 whole of 欧博娱乐 community to acknowledge 欧博娱乐 event and remember its lessons.
When we remember, we focus on 欧博娱乐 selfless acts of those caught up in 欧博娱乐 event and 欧博娱乐 humanity that unites us, ra欧博娱乐r than 欧博娱乐 violence that seeks to divide.