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YOUR RIGHTS AS A CRIME VICTIM WHEN BANK EMPLOYEES
AND CUSTOMERS BECOME VICTIMS OF A ROBBERY

Information, Referral, and Support for Victims, their Families and Witnesses of Crime.

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF A ROBBERY

You've all seen a pebble drop into a pool of water and noticed the ripples which are produced by the impact of that pebble. A similar ripple occurs from person to person when a crime occurs.

Even if you were not directly confronted during the incident, you may experience reactions from your exposure as a witness to the robbery. Fortunately, FBI statistics indicate that reported rates of actual serious physical injury to employees or customers are very low.

How people react to these events varies from person to person and is affected by individual factors such as how you usually handle stressful situations and what kind of support you have both inside and outside of work.

Your reaction may be immediate or may be delayed. You may experience symptoms that are physical, emotional, or cognitive (involving your thinking ability). For some people, the reactions decrease within a few days, for others, the reactions may last longer.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT THESE ARE NORMAL FEELINGS, BEHAVIORS AND REACTIONS TO A CRIME.

Employees and customers who have been through a robbery or an attempted robbery may report having a variety of experiences:

• FEAR
  They are afraid of leaving the bank, being in public, or being re-victimized. They are afraid the robber will find them, or will return to the bank.
  
  
• HYPER-ALERTNESS
  They find that they startle easily: they "jump" when suddenly approached by customers or when they hear loud sounds. They may be wary or "on guard" with new customers they have never met.
  
  
• GUILT
  They feel that they could have done something differently; they wonder if they could have prevented the incident, or it they didn't do something they should have.
  
  
• ANGER
  They are enraged that their life has been disrupted and no longer feel safe or in control.
  
  
• ISOLATION
  They feel that they are the only ones who are having reactions to the event; they feel isolated from family and friends, and they feel no one can understand what they have been through.

COMMON EMOTIONAL & PHYSICAL RESPONSES

• Irritability, which may be directed at coworkers, family and friends;
• Loss of motivation and lack of concentration -feeling blue or depressed;
• Apathy and indifference;
• Chronic fatigue and flashbacks.

COPING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF CRIME VICTIMIZATION

Awareness and understanding are crucial in beginning to deal effectively with this event in your life. You can begin by being aware that you MAY react in some of the ways we have discussed. Remember these reactions are normal.

1. You may find that you react to sights, sounds, smells, and textures that were present at the time of the crime and which remind you of the incident.
2. Sometimes being exposed to a traumatic event may trigger memories of past events in your life. Perhaps you have been victimized before, or have lost someone close to you. You may once again find yourself experiencing feelings related to these earlier events.
3. To the extent possible, exercise and eat nutritionally. Avoid the excessive use of alcohol and other damaging drugs.
4. Feelings of vulnerability and helplessness are frequent after victimization. One of the first things to pay attention to is your need to feel safe again. Take any precaution which will make you feel safer. Some examples might include:
   • Having someone drive you to work and pick you up at the end of the day.
   • Following procedures that will protect you from as much risk as possible at work or
     at home.
   • Making your daily schedule as predictable and routine as possible for awhile to return some
     control and stability in your life.

EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO TRAGIC EVENTS, SO BE PREPARED FOR A VARIETY OF REACTIONS AT A VARIETY OF TIMES

Support from all sources is especially important at this time to help the victim function normally after the accident. Typically, the levels of support include:

1. Your work group
   Often, the people you work with have gone through the trauma with you and know how you feel. Talk to each other about your feelings and support each other. Also, share the following with your co-workers:
   • Don't startle, surprise, or pretend to aim a real or imaginary gun at the victim.
   • Don't feel rejected when victims want time alone.
   • Healing takes an enormous athount of psychic energy. Be prepared for mood swings which include anger, depression, and the feeling that "nothing good ever happens to me."

2. Your community
   You may find this support in friends, professional counselors, the clergy, or other significant people in your life. And you can get help from the United States Attorney's Office, Victim Witness Program. Our office will also refer you to a Victim Witness Assistance Program if the robbery is prosecuted by the Arizona State District Attorney's Office
   
   
3. Your family
   Family members will need to know what has happened and what to expect. They will react to your experience, but may not have the information needed to deal with it as you do. Please remember that children are very perceptive. Do not underestimate their ability to understand and deal with life's trauma. Let your child know that you are all right.

SUGGESTIONS FOR CO-WORKERS AND FAMILY

• Allow the victim to talk about the event long after you are tired of hearing about it.
• Don't minimize the fear or seriousness of the event as a way of "helping". This may lead the victim to feel that you don't understand the event or sympathize with fears that normally occur after such a traumatic event.
• Don't ask "why" questions. They put the blame on the victim.
• Even though you may want to "make it all better," understand that there is a healing process for victims to work through.
• Temporary sexual dysfunction is not an unusual reaction for victims.
• A desire for extra security precautions is normal and can include locking house and car doors, using night lights, and leaving radios and television turned on when away.
• Now is the time to be especially considerate
  • Call home if you expect to be delayed.
  • Help with household tasks.
  • Assume responsibility for tasks the victim ordinarily performs

IF A SUSPECT IS APPREHENDED

If a suspect is apprehended, you may be asked to attend a line-up and/or be needed as a witness to testify at court. If your testimony is needed, you will receive a subpoena and have the opportunity to meet with the prosecutor before you testify. Contact Victim Witness Unit of the United States Attorneys Office, who can keep you informed of the progress of your case and will help you through the criminal justice system, including accompanying you to court. Victims may also request to speak at the sentencing of a convicted defendant about the impact of the robbery. It may be helpful to know that threats or retaliation against a witness, by those accused or convicted of bank robberies, is extremely rare.

RESTITUTION

It is important to keep a record of expenses incurred as the result of a robbery. If a defendant is convicted, banks and individual victims may request restitution, by completing a Victim Impact Statement. Restitution may be ordered by a Judge for certain losses related to the crime. However, in many cases the defendant may not have sufficient assets or income to pay restitution. It is possible, therefore, that a victim may not receive any or receive only partial restitution. The U.S. Attorney or U.S. Clerk of Court will forward any restitution ordered, as it becomes available.

SUMMARY

It is important to allow yourself time to heal at your own pace. It is helpful to actively seek support from family, friends, co-workers, bank support services, and possibly professional counseling and support groups, if additional services are needed.

RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS

• The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for your dignity and privacy.
• The right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender.
• The right to be notified of court proceedings.
• The right to be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, unless the court determines that testimony by the victim would be materially affected if the victim heard other testimony at trial.
• The right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.
• The right to restitution.
• The right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender.

CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION

You or your family may be eligible for reimbursement of certain expenses to you as a victim or while serving as a "good Samaritan". Reimbursement may be made for medical, counseling expenses and lost wages, where there is an injury or threat of injury, after other resources such as insurance or workers compensation are considered.

For information regarding eligibility call:
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Crime Victim Services Coordinator at 1-602-230-0252 or your local County Crime Victim Compensation Program.

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