 you've just been through a traumatic experience. This video was designed to answer some of the questions you may have following a victimization that may affect your health and well-being. You will also learn about your rights as a crime victim and how the police and the criminal justice system can assist you in getting the help you need. In this video we will cover how important the medical care and services you will receive at the hospital are to your recovery. The assistance you may be eligible for as a victim of a violent crime. Your rights as a crime victim and the benefits of participating in the criminal justice system. Some general reactions that you may have to this stressful or traumatic event. And coping skills to help in your recovery process. The people in this video work with injured crime victims or were crime victims themselves. They wanted to educate victims about what you can expect over the next few days and weeks in your recovery. I understand you injured your leg and then your wrist as well. Yeah the right leg and right leg left wrist. Sure how's that been doing for you? It's feeling better now. Yeah. It's still a little bit sore. Right now while you're in the hospital you will be receiving treatment for your injuries. Although your injuries are painful daily reminders of the crime the scars and pain will improve with time. You may have to do physical exercises to recover from an injury or to relearn motor skills. It can take a lot of hard work and patience. Be easy on yourself and give yourself credit for every step in your recovery. Remember you're not at fault if you've been the victim of a crime. You deserve the best care possible. It is important to take care of both your physical and mental health. Be sure to go to any follow-up appointments that are scheduled for you. Your successful recovery depends on it. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Your doctors and nurses are here to answer your questions as well as help you heal from your injuries. As a recent crime victim you may not be aware of the potential benefits of participating in the criminal justice system. You may be eligible to receive financial assistance. The Crime Victim Compensation Fund is set aside by your state government to help pay for unreimbursed expenses that are a direct result of the crime. Money may be available for necessary hospital costs related medical or dental bills and mental health counseling that insurance doesn't pay for. It can also pay for lost wages from your job. For some victims this assistance helps maintain stability and dignity in their lives. It is important that you cooperate with the criminal justice system this includes police, prosecutors and crime victim compensation authorities. Promptly complete all paperwork required and let the agencies know if your address changes. Apprehension or conviction of the offender is not required to receive assistance. Compensation applications are generally available in the prosecutor's office or the police department depending on your state. The application asks for basic information about yourself and the crime. If you have any questions feel free to call me. I'd be glad to explain anything to you and how the process works from here. Okay. Victim advocates generally are available within these agencies to help you complete forms. Once the forms have been completed send the application and copies of any related medical bills to the address for victims assistance shown on the form. Compensation however does not cover loss or damage of personal property. Crime victim compensation is limited so not all claims are accepted. You are not eligible for assistance if you were involved in illegal activity at the time of the crime. If you do not cooperate with police regarding the case if you do not submit the application within the specified deadline or if the victim assistance agency is not able to contact you for additional information. If you are denied and feel the decision was unfair you may appeal your case with your state's crime victims assistance office. Remember victim advocates are available to help you and to answer your questions. Ask your doctor, nurse, lawyer or police officer how you can contact a victim advocate. They are taking the perpetrator and they're going to be talking with him and going through some court proceedings that I think you would like to be present for. I think it'd be important for you to be present. Okay. Would you be able to be there this afternoon? Uh yeah I think I can do that. Okay great great. As a crime victim you have the right to protection from intimidation, harassment and harm. If you feel threatened call the police and address the situation immediately. Sometimes victims are afraid to participate in the criminal justice system for fear that the perpetrator will get back at them. However by participating in the criminal justice system you take control of the situation and protect you and others from future harm. It is also your right to be informed about the criminal justice system. Tell the police or victim advocate if you want to be notified of the accused or convicted person's status such as the date and time of arrest, release or escape. You have a right to make a written or oral statement regarding the crime and its effect on you and your family. This is typically called a victim impact statement. Person sustained a bullet wound in the left leg which required hospitalization. Let's see. Listen carefully as I tell you your rights for this case. You have a right to an attorney of your choice pay for by you or you have a right to an attorney appointed by this court if you meet the standard set by this court for the appointment. You also have the right to be present during any bond hearing, trial and the right to comment during a plea bargain. Take advantage of your rights and get involved in the prosecution of your perpetrator. Most injured crime victims have questions about dealing with the police and the criminal justice system. Here are some legal definitions that may help when discussing your case with the police, prosecutors or victims advocate. Grand jury, a group of individual citizens who review evidence and make a recommendation about whether to bring formal charges against the alleged assailant. Endigement, formal legal charges brought against an alleged assailant handed down by the court after a grand jury hearing. Bond hearing, a court hearing to determine whether bail should be set and the amount of bail for an offender who's been arrested and charged with a crime. We know that crime does not just affect people physically so in this section we address some of the emotional reactions you may experience and provide you with coping skills to help you overcome these reactions. When you were injured during the crime you may have feared you would be killed. This fear is what people often feel in an emergency situation and our bodies go into an automatic survival mode. Your reactions may have included shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling or shaking, sweating or hot flashes, pain in your chest, rapid heart rate. Don't worry many of these reactions are normal responses to a dangerous situation. You may still be experiencing some of these reactions even now in the hospital. Other reactions you may experience over the next few weeks and months include flashbacks, nightmares or frequent and upsetting thoughts about the incident. To handle all of these we recommend these four steps. First, don't avoid situations just because of fear or anxiety. If you're avoiding going out of the house or you're avoiding friends and family or if you're avoiding certain places or situations try to make yourself go out or interact with others a little bit at a time until doing it no longer bothers you. Second, when you experience anxiety don't use drugs and alcohol to make it easier or to reduce anxiety. Instead pay attention to situations, feelings and people that trigger your urges to drink or use drugs and stay away from them. Third, keep busy. Your best weapon against becoming sad or depressed is keeping active. Try to go back to work if possible. If you're unable to work because of your injuries still try to stay as active as you can. Make yourself get out of bed in the morning even if you don't feel like you can. You might even want to try planning out your day the night before and then stick to your plan. And lastly don't blame yourself. The person who heard you is to blame. You are not responsible for someone else's actions. You are only responsible for your recovery. In closing remember you are not alone. There are many people who can help you. We hope this video has provided valuable information to help you through your recovery and in understanding the criminal justice system.