An act of violence, Ruback and Thompson (2001, p.84) mention, may involve passive psychological, behavioral, and physical consequences that actually represent direct or indirect reactions to such aggressive performance. So noticeable, people’s reaction for victimization varies from one individual to another; it is connected with particular forms of victimization and be moderated by the victim’s traits and /or contributions after victimization. Below is a description for each main category as well as these affective consequences included within psychological group:
1- Psychological
Being a victim, according to Aquino et.al (2004, p.156), results in numerous passive emotional states that the victims may have like weakness, defenselessness, distorted views of the world and so many others. Such psychological conditions linked with victimization cover, as mentioned above, the following: despair and anxiety.Despair seems to associate with particular forms of victimization like peer or sexual victimization rather than others. This condition,Bulman et.al (1983, p.15) state, is characterized by the presence of excessive emotions of blame or worthlessness, unhappy mood, absence of interest in most actions, a crucial change in sleep or food habits and lack of focus. Moreover, despair may have its own vital impact on the professional or academic performance of victims and may even cover their physical health and interactive relations or sometimes end in committing deadly acts like suicide attempts.Concerning anxiety, it is closely noticed with children and adults, as Ameringen et. al (2003, p.562) point out. Tackling the link between anxiety and victimization is realized in several researches that vary in dealing with that term “anxiety”. That is, some researchers examine anxiety as a general term which includes a series of troubles, phobias, and universal anxiety disorder while others prefer to investigate particular types such as social anxiety. Sleep problems, extreme worrying, irritability, in addition to worse health are all marks attributed to generalized anxiety.
2- Physical
For Meloy and Miller (2011, p.17), wounds resulted from violent physical acts like sexual victimization are considered the greatest noticeable physical symptoms. Other symptoms, Schwartz et. al (2oo5, p.427) argue, may indirectly exist but as a result of victimization that is concluded from psychological and emotional reactions. These symptoms are known as psychosomatic. Headaches in addition to some other illnesses like sore throats are examples of psychosomatic symptoms related to victimization.
3- Behavioral
After the experience of being victimized, victims may show behavioral symptoms as in acting aggressively with others for the first time. An example of that is when a bullied child starts to bully others. Other behavioral symptoms cover elimination or withdrawing from social interaction. In short, violent acts with individuals, particularly women, have their own psychological and physical impact whose extent or scope varies according to the form of victimization and gender of those being victimized. Additionally, differences exist even among those who belong to the same gender ,e.g., women (Meloy & Miller, 2011, p.19).
