The trials of the attacks of November 13, 2015 in Paris and July 14, 2016 in Nice were essential milestones for the victims. However, these legal proceedings, while important, also awakened psychic wounds, in particular linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Palais de Justice of Paris, Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A recent study carried out by the Paris Aide aux Victimes (PAV) association, a member of the France Victimes network, and the results of which were presented on April 9, looks at the experiences of victims during these major trials. Carole Damiani, psychologist at the head of the Paris Aide aux Victimes association and head of the study, talks about the genesis of this project. "There are a lot of fantasies surrounding trials, in particular very deep-rooted representations relayed by the media, such as the idea that a trial 'cures' and that without a trial, victims couldn't be well," explains the psychologist. "However, our empirical observations did not confirm these representations, and it seemed important to us to examine precisely what was actually the case."
The study, which involved 173 victims who took part in these trials, revealed that while 81% of participants expressed general satisfaction with the judicial process, the reality of the psychological experience was much more complex. Indeed, 69.9% of victims reported high levels of anguish/anxiety before the trial, and 36.9% felt fear. Feelings of anger were also extremely prevalent, particularly among the victims of the Nice attack (90.9% of them said they had felt anger before the trial).
Preparing for trial: an important step
Victims were prepared by their lawyers (75.6%), victim support associations (45.9%) and preparatory meetings organized by Paris Aide aux Victimes (41.5%). Carole Damiani notes, however, that despite these efforts, "the reality is still different from what we expect."
In terms of psychological preparation, victims of the November 13 attacks felt better prepared overall (81.5%) than those in Nice (44.3%).
Carole Damiani underlines the difference felt between Paris and Nice. "In Paris, victims benefited from a very supportive group phenomenon, reinforced by the strong involvement of associations." A phenomenon less present in Nice, where tensions between the associations attenuated this protective group effect.
"A trial doesn't cure
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a major reality for victims of terrorist attacks. Carole Damiani explains precisely that "a trial does not heal the trauma or the grief." The study shows that typical PTSD symptoms, such as reliving, sleep disturbance and avoidance, generally did not diminish after the trial. For most victims, these symptoms even worsened. For example, 78.8% of the direct victims of the Nice attack surveyed stated that their psychotraumatic disorders had worsened or become much worse following the trial.
Personal testimony at trial plays a dual role: it brings relief, temporary appeasement and essential social and legal recognition for victims. But it also provokes a painful reactivation of traumatic memories. Some victims have reported experiencing reliving, anguish, anxiety and sadness in connection with their testimony during the trial.
The psychological effect of the images and videos broadcast during the hearings was also studied. Contrary to initial expectations, these media had less psychological impact than the emotional intensity of personal testimony.
The trial, while an important step towards recognition and justice, does not constitute therapeutic care. " It's an important step, of course, but only one in a long process of reconstruction," insists Carole Damiani.
The importance of long-term support
The feeling of abandonment after the trial appears particularly intense among the victims of the Nice attack, partly due to their geographical distance and their feeling of being treated as "second-rate victims of attacks".
These observations underline the importance of developing reinforced psychological support after trials. Paris Aide aux Victimes therefore plans to consider a scheme inspired by international experience, particularly in Belgium, including better information on the execution of sentences and psychological support tailored to the specific needs of victims over the long term.
"A lot of things have changed as a result of the attacks themselves, but also as a result of these trials, which have taught us a lot," concludes Carole Damiani.
