Gary and Deanna
Victims of violent crime can be left severely traumatised
Gary was the victim of a random, brutal mugging and knife attack near a barber's shop which he owned.
Gary and Deanna Thrall are a married couple from Nottingham. In 2010 Gary was the victim of a random, brutal mugging and knife attack near the barber’s shop which he had owned for over 20 years.
Gary was badly injured and only survived after emergency surgery. He was left with nerve damage in his arm and hand as well as severe trauma.
Victim Support helped Gary by contributing to the cost of his trauma therapy and advised him about his criminal injuries compensation claim. Gary and Deanna’s story shows the severe psychological effect that violent crime can have on the victim, and the value of specialist therapy in helping people to deal with it.
Gary said, “The nerves in my hand aren’t right so I’ll never be able to go back to haircutting. I’m on alert all the time. I get nightmares of the attackers standing over me and stabbing me. There’s a lot of anger in me: anger at the people who did it and anger at the system. It even put pressure on my relationship with Deanna.”
Deanna said, “Twenty years we’ve been married and we’ve fallen out more in the last 10 months than the rest of that time because of the tension and stress.”
Gary said, “My doctor referred me to counselling. I had to wait six weeks for the appointment then I went to see a lady who said I needed treatment but it could be up to a year or two years before I would be seen.”
Deanna said, “My daughter’s doing a doctorate and by chance, she was working near a trauma specialist so we managed to get Gary some therapy sooner. Victim Support helped towards payment for six sessions of trauma therapy.”
Gary said, “Without the trauma therapist I probably wouldn’t go out of the house. But you only get 12 sessions and that’s it. You have to apply again to get any more.”
Deanna said: “We put a claim in to the CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority). It’s been 14 months and we still haven’t received any award. Victim Support have helped with communications to the CICA and intervening to help deal with the many questions and requests they have sent to us. Victim Support are also helping Gary to look into alternative careers and what help is available to do this. Just having someone to help and be a spokesperson for us is so helpful when we’re dealing with so many different situations.”