Terrorism crimes and victimization: from trauma to resilience

Abstract

The damage in the terrorist acts has a double target, not only the direct victims but also the society, the State. In this way, perpetrators of this kind of illicit actions use violence as a method to influence, persuade or intimidate society and politicians. They pretend to extend their influence beyond those directly affected. We can differenciate between those attacks against certain groups or targets (focused terrorism) and those drive to individuals not directly related to its interests (indiscriminate terrorism) (Pereda, 2011). According to that, we can distinguish terrorism crimes from other events of interpersonal violence, or even differenciate those intentional acts of violence towards the community from those resulting of unexpected violence that can happen at any time and in any context.