A Survivor in the Aftermath
Part 1 Survivor Reception Centre
Part 2 The Aftermath
This guide has been written by members of Disaster Action, who have
all been involved in disasters such as Hillsborough, the Marchioness,
Dunblane, Southall and Ladbroke Grove.
Our aim is to enable you to understand what may happen in the hours
and days after the disaster, giving your the opportunity to maintain
some control over events. You may be reading this in a Survivor
Reception Centre, in which case you should find Part One helpful. If
not, please look at Part Two.
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A Survivor Reception Centre (SRC) is set up by the police as soon as
a disaster happens (Depending on the nature of the disaster, there may
be more than one SRC.)
You can ask the police to call a member of your family, or call
yourself, to let them know that you are at the SRC. Ask them to let
other members of the family and your friends know that you are all
right.
Survivors who were not physically injured may be interviewed here by
the police to identify those involved and to find out what they saw and
heard. This will help the police find out what happened.
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A police officer will ask you for your personal details and to
describe what you saw and heard.
He or she will fill in a form with the information, which will be
passed to the Casualty Bureau (CB). The CB is the centre where the
police gather all the information coming from the disaster site (and
from outside sources) about who may be involved.
If you don't feel able to talk about the disaster right away, tell
the police officer that you would rather be interviewed later, or at
your home (if this is what you want).
If you would prefer to have a member of your family or a friend with
you while you are being interviewed, let the police know.
The police will also help you with any immediate needs you have as a
result of the disaster. If, for example, you are temporarily homeless,
they can assist you in finding emergency accommodation through social
services.
You may also have the assistance of a police family liaison officer
or social worker.
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This is a deeply anxious time, especially if you got separated from
relatives or friends who were with you when the disaster happened.
It would help the police if you gave personal details about anyone
you were with at the disaster scene. A police officer will fill in a
form with this information, which will be passed on to the CB.
If the police have any news about those you were with, they will let
you know, but feel free to ask about what is happening.
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There may be social workers or counsellors whom you can talk to at
the SRC if you want to.
If you would like to talk straight away to those with a similar
experience, contact Disaster Action (See Support Groups and Caring
Organisations).
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You are likely to be approached by the media, looking for photographs
or interviews.
It is up to you whether or not to talk to them, but remember that you
cannot change your mind later about what you have said.
You may be unable to stop them taking photographs, but don't be
afraid to tell them to leave you alone.
If the media is bothering you or your family, tell the police.
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In the days and weeks following the disaster, what you have seen and
heard may have a great effect upon you now and in the future.
Although you may not have been physically injured, coming to terms
with a disaster can be extremely difficult.
Each person's experience of and feelings about a disaster are unique;
some people may experience problems because of it and others may not.
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Following a disaster the police may wish to interview you in order to
identify those involved and to discover what happened. If you would
prefer to have a member of your family or a friend with you while you
are being interviewed, let the police know.
Other organisations may be able to help you with practical and
emotional needs during this time, including the local authority, social
services or voluntary organisations. Details may be publicised locally
or nationally.
A telephone helpline may be set up by the local authority to offer
guidance to those who need help. You should be able to get the number
from your police contact or social services. You may also have the
assistance of a police family liaison officer and/or social worker.
You may have a number of different reactions, such as loss of
appetite or sleepless nights. You might find it difficult to
concentrate. You might have anxiety attacks.
You may find it hard to relate to your family or friends who have not
shared your experience. And you may keep re-living the disaster or have
vivid flashbacks.
It is important to understand that these reactions are not abnormal
in themselves. If such reactions and feeling persist or disturb you,
then you may find it beneficial to seek help.
There's nothing wrong with knowing that you need help and trying to
find it.
Whether you feel you need help or not, take care in driving or doing
other things that are potentially dangerous.
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You can go to your doctor (who can refer you to a counsellor) to talk
about how you feel, but if he or she has had no training in disasters,
they may be unsure how best to help you. There are a few clinics, mostly
in London, which specialise in helping those affected by disasters. Ask
your doctor what is available locally, or speak to Disaster Action.
Some of the organisations that try to help the bereaved and those who
have been affected by traumatic events are listed under Support Groups
and Caring Organisations.
Some people will not want or feel the need to talk to anyone outside
the family and friends, although for others it may be essential. There
is nothing wrong with knowing that you need help and trying to find it.
If you contact a group but don't find it helpful, don't give up. It
may be that whoever you spoke to was not the right person for you. It is
never too early or too late to get help - the hard thing is to
recognise, or admit, that you need it.
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Disaster Action
Charity who members have all been bereaved in or have survived a
disaster. Shares common experience and provides support and guidance to
those affected by disasters. PO Box 849, Woking GU21 8WB. Telephone:
01483 799 066.
: :
www.disasteraction.org.uk
The Compassionate Friends
Organisation of bereaved parents offering shared experience and series
of leaflets (Monday-Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm).
53 North Street, Bristol BS3 1EN. Tel: 0117 953 9639.
: :
www.tcf.org.uk
The Traumatic Stress Clinic
Specialists in PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Provides
assessment and therapy for those who have been affected by traumatic
events such as disasters.
73 Charlotte Street London, W1T 4PL Tel: 020 77530 3666.
ASSIST Trauma Support Trust
Offer support and self help in surviving trauma.
The Penthouse, 11013 Bank St. Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 2QE.
Trauma Support Line Answer Service: 01788 560 800. Office: 01788 551
919.
Cruse - Bereavement Care
Offers counselling, advice and opportunities to meet other bereaved
people throughout the UK. 126 Sheen road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1UR.
Tel: 020939 9530. To talk to a counsellor telephone 08457 585565
(Monday-Friday 3pm - 9pm).
Victim Support
Offers practical help and advice and emotional support to victims and
their families following crime. (Monday-Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm).
Cranmer House, 39 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DZ Tel: 020 7735 9166.
: :
www.victimsupport.org.uk
Maudesley Hospital - The Traumatic Stress
Project
Provides a clinical service for people suffering from psychological
distress or disorder. (PTSD) Mon-Fri. 9.00am-5pm.
De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF. Telephone: 020 7703
6333.
BAC (British Association of Counselling)
Will give list of counselling organisations and practitioners in your
area, their specialisation and fees (some do not charge). You need to
send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: 1 Regent Place, Rugby,
Warwickshire. CD21 2PF.
Information answerphone: 01788 550 899.
: :
www.counselling.co.uk
TACT (Trauma After Care Trust)
Those affected by PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) can get in touch
with TACT for names of specialists in this condition.
Buttfields, The Farthings, Withington, Glous. GL54 4DF. Freephone 0800
169 6814
Samaritans
Will refer callers to local branches (listed in telephone books)
offering a 24-hour service to all those going through a personal crisis.
10 The Grove, Slough, Berks. SL1 1QP. Tel: 01753 532713.
: :
www.samaritans.org.uk
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