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VIRGINIA TECH TRAGEDY GRIPS THE NATION
Everyone throughout the nation, in some way, shape, or form, can related
to the tragic criminal victimization that occurred at Virginia Tech University. The impact of this horrific chain of events and the savage killing of innocent
victims cuts to the core of our feelings and emotions and stirs compelling and overwhelming emotions that include fear, disbelief, shock, fear, uncertainty, sadness, anger, and profound grief.
Adding to this episode of mass trauma is the attempt to make sense of a senseless situation that grappled the entire Blacksburg community, the families and friends
of the victims, and the entire country. The realization evolves that anyone at anytime can become the victim of a crime, and life can change in a split second.
Amidst the pandemonium of hearing gunshots,
students on campus were bunkering down in classrooms to hide and others were trying to flee by jumping out of windows choosing to risk injury over death.
Meanwhile, other students were unaware of the destruction that was occurring. Once it was all over and silence was restored to the campus, the aftermath of what had transpired began to sink in and the loss of innocent lives set the grief process into full swing.
Students at other universities are also deeply affected by the Virginia Tech
tragedy, and they now feel vulnerable. Their confidence and security has been shattered, and their faith has been shaken. They ponder if they could be the next victims
Crisis response to a
situation of mass trauma is essential, and all forms of support must be immediate. Trained victim service professionals and crisis responders must be immediately available to students, staff, families, and the
surrounding community. The secondary victimization that emanates from this type of an event is of monumental proportion, and support should be extended to communities beyond the immediate college community
that is affected. Ongoing, honest communication is essential.
Copyright 2007 Karen L. Bune
***Karen L. Bune is employed as a Victim Specialist in the State’s
Attorney’s Office in Prince George’s County, Md. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Ms. Bune is a Board Certified Expert in
Traumatic Stress and a Diplomate of the Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She is a nationally recognized consultant and speaker in the victim services field.
Ms. Bune appears in the 2007 edition of “Marquis Who’s Who in the World.” She can be reached at kbune@gmu.edu
MORE STORIES BY KAREN BUNE:
CONFLICTING PERSPECTIVES FOCUS ATTENTION ON RESPONSE STATEGIES TO
ANTI-WAR PROTESTORS
D. C. POLICE CHIEF RAMSEY’S DEPARTURE LEAVES LEGACY OF GREAT
ACCOMPLISHMENT
CHIEF MORSE ROLE ENHANCED BY GAINER APPOINTMENT AS US SENATE SGT AT ARMS
US BORDER PATROL AGENTS ARE THE VICTIMS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GETS ATTENTION
U. S. PARK POLICE FORCE IN DISARRAY
D.C. POLICE COMMANDER SOLBERG’S APOLOGY UNNECESSARY
POLICE VICTIMIZATION HAS WIDE IMPACT
US CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF GAINER RESIGNS
PERSISTANCE PAYS OFF FOR MIMI
MAJOR LINDA DIXON FULFILLS PROMISE TO VICTIM
METRO DC POLICE GAY AND LESBIAN LIAISON UNIT
U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF GAINER
US CAPITOL POLICE MOUNTED UNIT DEALT A HARD BLOW
TRIBUTE TO CHIEF GAINER
CONGRESSWOMAN MCKINNEY - SUPERB EXAMPLE OF NON-VICTIM
RETURN TO NY COP HOMEPAGE
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