Burglary’s emotional cost

It was the dead of night and Diana Marriott was dead to the world.

She was in a deep, deep sleep and by right, deserved to feel safe and secure – but she wasn't.

Diana Marriott, who slept her house being burgled recently, is warning Bay homeowners to be security conscious. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Right outside her bedroom door two complete strangers, two burglars were violating her space, violating her privacy and in doing that, violating her. They ransacked her house as she slept.

'I keep thinking about it and it makes me sick to the stomach – I could have been hurt or worse.”

The alleged two 15-year-old perpetrators took cash and left a mess – but burglars can also leave a trail of emotional damage.

'The thought someone can come in – through a door I accidently and stupidly left unlocked – went through my house, cupboards and wardrobes while I was alone and asleep is very, very disturbing,” says Diana. Her husband was away at the time.

The incident may appear as just another blip in the crime statistics, but research shows burglary victims experience emotional turmoil because their sense of security and safety has been compromised.

It's not just a crime against property and should not be under-estimated.

'Basically what Diana is exhibiting are elements of post-traumatic stress disorder when your life has been threatened or perceived to have been threatened,” says psychologist Keith Crosby of Bay Counselling.

'While her life wasn't literally threatened, she obviously believed anything could have happened to her.”

And the thought of a complete stranger entering your personal space and rummaging through their personal things can leave people afraid, confused and angry.

Some victims go through a period of depression days after the crime and suffer chronic anxiety and insomnia.

'It may be the burglars never intended to do anything to harm her. But it's not an over-reaction for her to think that death might have been the outcome,” says Keith.

The textbooks say victims like Diana often experience emotions similar to those of victims of assault and other violent crime.

Psychological effects of a break-in can include constant, overwhelming fear; anger that overrides aspects of a victim's life; grief over lost belongings; lost feelings of safety, security and peace of mind; and feelings of failure and guilt.

Diane is now kicking herself.

'The stupid thing is I've been a chronic insomniac for years and have recently completed a course in hypnotherapy.

'When my home was invaded it was my second night of successful self-hypnosis. I slept through it, maybe for the best.”

According to psychologists the trauma is difficult but not impossible to overcome. For example, resolving to be proactive about security can empower the victim again – they recover their sense of control and feelings of security are restored.

But one effective way of dealing with the trauma is talking to a psychologist, which reduce fear and depression.

Keith believes if needed, Diana may be able to get help through Victim Support. 'Some counselling hours because she is the victim of a crime.”

But Diana has turned crime prevention officer. 'It's that time of year,” she warns. 'It's warm and we're tempted to leave windows and doors open. Well don't!”

It is alleged the two young men who broke into Dianne's house had already worked over several other properties in the area. They were eventually picked up by Police.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.