What is considered secondary injury for a victim of a crime?

Secondary injury for a victim of a crime refers to the emotional, psychological, or social impacts that can arise as a consequence of the initial crime. These impacts often manifest long after the crime occurs and can significantly affect the victim's overall well-being. Isolation from support is a crucial aspect of secondary injury since it can prevent victims from receiving the necessary emotional and practical assistance needed for recovery. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, and a lack of coping resources, which exacerbate the victim's trauma and hinder their healing process.

In contrast, the other options focus more on direct or immediate impacts. Financial loss, while detrimental, is often a direct consequence of the crime and not specifically classified as a secondary injury. Physical injuries are also immediate effects that result from the crime itself, rather than subsequent repercussions. Death, while the most severe outcome of a criminal act, is typically not categorized as a secondary injury since it marks the end of the victim's experience with trauma rather than an ongoing impact. Thus, the notion of secondary injury captures the broader spectrum of repercussions that extend beyond the initial act of victimization.