It will soon be a year since five people were killed and dozens injured in a rampage in Trier. The act still does not let the victim go, says a trauma expert.
Trier – According to trauma expert Sybille Jatzko, the victims of the rampage in Trier on December 1, 2020 have not yet found peace. It is the current trial against the alleged gunman who is currently in front of the Trier district court, which causes “a lot of anger and a lot of anger,” said Jatzko of the German press agency.
Mainly because the accused 52-year-old did not provide any information and showed no signs of remorse. “The whole time is very stressful and does not allow people to rest,” said Jatzko, who accompanies relatives, those affected and traumatized in Trier with her foundation “Disaster Aftercare”.
According to Jatzko, it will be particularly bad for those affected when eyewitnesses will soon describe excerpts from the rampage in court. “For some, the traumatic symptoms can then be reactivated: That means images that have been saved separately as a result of the trauma come back up.”
Five people were killed in the rampage in Trier. In addition, many people were injured. A man had raced through the pedestrian zone in his off-road vehicle and hit people on target. The 52-year-old has been a suspected perpetrator before the Trier district court since August 19. The public prosecutor’s office accuses the German of fivefold murder and attempted murder in 18 other cases.
Joint participation in the commemorative event on the anniversary of the rampage supports the victims and their bereaved because they meet regularly and have now become a “community of fate”. They know each other: “That means being in good hands, feeling-not-so-alone-feeling and sharing the pain,” said the psychotherapist from Krickenbach near Kaiserslautern.
The day of remembrance is important for everyone in the city of Trier, said the expert. For those who have seen something. And for those who “want to perceive the commemoration in solidarity”. The common thing is important on this day. On December 1st there will be a church service in Trier Cathedral, which at the time of the crime begins at 1:46 p.m. with the ringing of bells. A concert in the cathedral is planned for the evening.
Jatzko assumed that after the trial “more calm would return to the community of fate”. “Then you can also focus more on help that is still needed.” The process is currently scheduled to run until the end of January 2022.
According to Jatzko, there will be another meeting of victims soon. One will continue to think about a future memorial. And think about the form in which you would like to take part in the commemoration. dpa
