What is the initial feeling you see in a farmer after they are hit with rural crime?

The feeling is that of loss for the farmer. Part of that is grief, anger and frustration. It is the unknown.

It is very difficult for a farmer to go out into his field when he has just counted the cattle the night before and he walks out to that field the next morning and there are no cattle there.

What are the effects on a farmer when this loss is experienced?

The big problem for any farmer is the feeling that they can’t talk to anyone. Most of our farmers are male and feel they need to get on with the business of sorting out the crime that has been committed against them.

That, in itself, poses a problem because they have to make that choice to get on with things.

Is it a case that the farmer feels isolated and alone?

There is a certain amount of isolation for a farmer but I think, to some, it is both self-imposed and imposed by society.

When something like this happens to you, you might be the only one in your neighbourhood. People may like to think that it is random.

In some cases, it isn’t. You can have a sense that this has just happened to you and you were picked out by these criminals and they were watching you.

So there is that feeling of who do I talk to? How can I get myself over it?

But in my experience of working with farmers on this, they just tend to try to get on with it. Everybody in the family has to deal with those emotions.

What do you see when farmers come to see you?

The pain is very visible to see. And it is very raw. When they arrive, it is to talk about the fact that they are not sleeping or eating, or the amount of alcohol they are consuming.

They are very anxious, very vigilant and very stressed. All of this happens over time.

And, they often say: ‘‘I want to get back to the way I was when I wasn’t in this state. I want to get back to my normal life and I really don’t know what is happening to me.’’

What is your advice for farmers feeling the effect of rural crime who may have bottled up their feelings?

Ultimately, it is to talk about it. Talk to family members, talk to a friend. Talk to a professional if you feel you need to.

We all have losses. But when a loss affects your daily life that is when you need to start talking with a professional.

Seek advice from an accredited counsellor from the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy because we are trained and we have counsellors and psychtherapists all over Ireland.

It gives you the space that you may not have at home to talk the whole thing through.

We are all different. There is no prescription.

HOW TO SEEK HELP

If you are a victim of rural crime and wish to seek professional advice contact the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy on 01-230 3536 or visit www.IACP.IE. Ask for a professional in your area.

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