Recognize the effects of serious assault on victims’ families, new study urges

Traditionally, victims have been seen as those directly harmed, but the paper from the Violence and Society Centre and the UKPRP VISION consortium at City St George’s, University of London indicates that those closely related to the victim, such as family members, also endure substantial harm.

As a result, the authors suggest that policies and support services must also recognise the effects of serious assault on victims’ families.

Indirect victims of violence

The study, which analysed the responses of 7,519 adults in England aged 16 and over in the 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, found that approximately 1 in 20 adults are closely related to someone who has been the victim of a serious assault.

These individuals, referred to as “indirect victims”, face numerous health challenges, including heightened levels of fear and anxiety. They are also more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even suicidal thoughts.

Authored by Dr Elizabeth Cook, Senior Lecturer, and Professor Sally McManus, Director of the Violence and Society Centre at City St George’s, the study also found that close adult relatives of assault victims were more likely than the rest of the population to have been direct victims of violence and abuse themselves, to have experienced multiple other adversities, and to live in more deprived neighbourhoods.

Even when controlling for these experiences, the researchers found that relatives of victims were 2.36 times more likely to feel unsafe in the neighbourhood where they lived than the rest of the population, and their odds of having a depressive or anxiety disorder were 1.37 times higher. The results indicate that relatives in England may already be vulnerable, with the potential to also be further affected by the experiences of family members. The paper has been published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.

Public policy implications

The study’s findings have important implications for public policy, particularly considering the new Victims and Prisoners Act of 2024. The study suggests that when considering how to allocate resources and support services for victims, policymakers should account for the broader impact of violence, including the effects on the victim's family.

Recognising the effects of serious assault on the relatives of victims could lead to more comprehensive support services that address the needs of families dealing with the aftermath of violence. Such services might include mental health support for family members, financial assistance for those struggling due to the crime, and community-based programmes aimed at reducing the overall fear and anxiety experienced by those living in high-crime areas.

Speaking about the research, Dr Cook said:

“Our research highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to victim support. By recognising the significant impact that violence has on the families of victims, policymakers can ensure that all those affected by violence receive the resources and support they need. This shift in perspective could help mitigate the long-term mental health consequences faced by indirect victims and lead to a more equitable distribution of resources to act against violence.”

Professor McManus said:

“An assault leaves a legacy of fear not only for the direct victim, but also for those around them. These hidden, indirect victims are relied on by society for the care they provide, and yet they go unrecognised and are rarely supported.”