The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Terrorist Attack Victim Experiences with Government Responses and Policy

• In Event: Legal Frameworks and Policy Analyses in Victim Rights

Abstract

Governments play a pivotal role in supporting victims of terrorist attacks. Victims view compensation as a recognition of their injuries and an acknowledgment of the traumatic nature of terrorism. Prolonged compensation and limited validation and support can intensify mental health challenges. The present study analyzed the impact that government aid and policies have on direct victims of terrorism, both during and post-event, and the effect that insufficient support had on the recovery of victims. The study interviewed 22 victims regarding their experiences before, during, and after the event. Three distinctive categories of government experiences were yielded. “The good” category held that they received adequate benefits from the government and had the opportunity to participate in criminal trials. “The bad” category made a distinction between compensation granted to those who had physical injuries and those who had mental injuries. Lastly, “the ugly” category noted that the government failed to validate and accept their mental health complications post-event. Participants further expressed that governments are undertrained in supporting victims in post-event trauma and provide inconsistent compensation for victims based on the extent of their injuries. Local and national governments need to implement policies to support the recovery of victims, incorporating recommendations of past victims.

Authors

• Jordan Bos, Flagler College

• Shane Nelson, University of Florida