I don't recall when I first heard this term used in the context for victims of a crime…
These "secondary victims" are the friends and family members of the perpetrator himself. Crimes of violence, especially when a life has been taken, will leave behind people who knew the victim, obviously, but there is an oftentimes overlooked group, those who knew and loved the offender.
In my case, however, regarding secondary victims, my crimes and subsequent arrest left my loved ones shocked, heartbroken, devastated, and bewildered. Their pain and disappointment was beyond comprehension.
In fact, in my situation there were two groups of families who'd been affected. There was my adopted family, and then there was my birth family, both of whom loved and adored me. They were left heartbroken and humiliated, and asking "Why?"
Thus they too became victims, albeit secondary ones. Horrified by what transpired, they went through endless soul-searching and crying. Their anguish was palpable. For them nothing seemed to make sense.
As I have often stated in public as well as in writing, I deeply regret the harm I brought to so many lives. I wish I could undo it all, but this is not possible.
What makes this even sadder and more complicated is not only the crimes themselves, along with the senseless loss of lives as sacrifices to Satan, but how so much incorrect and absurd information has been said about those who knew and loved me. This is especially true with regard to my birth family.
My birth mother has been horribly vilified by smooth talking psychologists and criminologists who, in my opinion, are as ignorant and misinformed today as they were more than forty years ago. Their words were nothing but guesses and speculations. Unfortunately, they have become part of the so called "media narrative" which is regurgitated over and over.
In the coming days I hope to go into greater depth about this. It's time to seek to honor my birth and adoptive families by doing what I can to put an end to the misinformation and misconceptions which still remain. My loved ones deserve it.
D. B.
In my case, however, regarding secondary victims, my crimes and subsequent arrest left my loved ones shocked, heartbroken, devastated, and bewildered. Their pain and disappointment was beyond comprehension.
In fact, in my situation there were two groups of families who'd been affected. There was my adopted family, and then there was my birth family, both of whom loved and adored me. They were left heartbroken and humiliated, and asking "Why?"
Thus they too became victims, albeit secondary ones. Horrified by what transpired, they went through endless soul-searching and crying. Their anguish was palpable. For them nothing seemed to make sense.
As I have often stated in public as well as in writing, I deeply regret the harm I brought to so many lives. I wish I could undo it all, but this is not possible.
What makes this even sadder and more complicated is not only the crimes themselves, along with the senseless loss of lives as sacrifices to Satan, but how so much incorrect and absurd information has been said about those who knew and loved me. This is especially true with regard to my birth family.
My birth mother has been horribly vilified by smooth talking psychologists and criminologists who, in my opinion, are as ignorant and misinformed today as they were more than forty years ago. Their words were nothing but guesses and speculations. Unfortunately, they have become part of the so called "media narrative" which is regurgitated over and over.
In the coming days I hope to go into greater depth about this. It's time to seek to honor my birth and adoptive families by doing what I can to put an end to the misinformation and misconceptions which still remain. My loved ones deserve it.
D. B.
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