A nonprofit group assisting people victimized by crime held an unprecedented series of workshops nationwide this summer on what parents should and shouldn't do if their children fall prey to criminals.

The National Network of Victim Support embarked on the initiative after seeing numerous cases over the years in which panic-stricken parents refuse to face reality and instead berate and even blame their children for the ordeal they went through.

"Parents should be keenly aware that how they react is key to their kids' quick recovery from a traumatic experience," said Chisato Suzuki, organizer of the series.