What Support Should I Expect?

Abstract

No matter how the incident happened, victims of an assault almost invariably have to come to terms with subsequent feelings of guilt. The reactions of peers, supervisors and management staff can be quite crucial at such times. ‘Fortunately, my superiors and colleagues could not have been more kind and my self-critical feelings did not last long’ said Dennis Powell (1983), whilst Dr Frank Wells appreciated the physical presence of others even if, seemingly, they were able to do very little to assist in a practical way;

At times of adversity you discover who are your friends, and the enormous number of visitors I actually received or who were apparently precluded from coming in was very gratifying and indeed satisfying, out of all proportion to the relatively trivial injury I believe I had had. The early arrival of the vicar had genuinely caused me some concern, but he proved to be a great friend, not a prophet of doom. (Wells, 1983)

Dr Wells was eased back into full-time general practice by his understanding partners after recuperating for two weeks, although he was not allowed to drive for six weeks.