When people think about groups needing support and visibility, homicide survivors are rarely the first to come to mind. We are a quiet group—not by choice, but by consequence. The trauma of losing someone to violent death is so profound, so disorienting and fatiguing, that most of us simply try to survive it. We don’t typically organize, march, or speak out. We seldom know our rights, and even when we do, we may lack the emotional bandwidth, safety, or community support to assert them.
But make no mistake: this silence comes at a cost.
Despite being directly impacted by the most extreme kind of violence, homicide survivors remain one of the least visible groups in the landscape of victim support and justice reform. We are routinely overlooked when policies are crafted, when resources are allocated, and when media outlets or legislators decide whose stories deserve attention.
Part of the problem is scale. Thankfully, homicides are statistically rare compared to other forms of crime. But this small number works against us. In the absence of a large, coordinated voice, our experiences are treated as outliers—dramatic, tragic, but ultimately isolated. This framing ignores the long-term emotional, financial, social, and legal toll of murder on those left behind. It also enables laws and practices to remain unchecked and deeply unfair.
Here are just a few examples:
- There is no federal regulation of crime scene cleanup companies. Unsuspecting families are often left to deal with unqualified or unethical providers who prey on vulnerability. (And to add insult to injury, social media platforms allow graphic “educational” videos of before and after homicide cleanups.)
- Graphic case details, crime scene photos, and even 911 calls are often released under Freedom of Information laws, despite the anguish this causes surviving loved ones.
- Major production companies create docudramas that feature our families—sometimes using our names, stories, and likenesses—without consultation or compensation.
- Public databases like Housecreep.com and DiedInHouse.com list homes where murders occurred, with zero consideration for the privacy or dignity of those still living at those addresses.
This is not just about hurt feelings or bad taste. These are systemic injustices rooted in the invisibility of our experience.
A national gathering of homicide survivors is long overdue. Such a convening would give voice to those who have suffered in isolation. It would allow us to compare notes, recognize patterns, and bring forward the kinds of reforms we know are needed but have never had the platform to address effectively. It would also give survivors—old and new—a sense of solidarity, strength, and shared purpose.
If other groups can organize to push for rights, respect, and representation, why shouldn’t we?
Silence may have been our survival strategy. But unity must be our next step.
How You Can Help
Plans are underway to organize the first-ever National Homicide Survivors Conference—a gathering where survivors, advocates, professionals, and allies can come together to learn, heal, and mobilize for change. Details are forthcoming but we are aiming for late summer or fall of 2026.
If you’re a homicide survivor, know someone who is, or work in a related field—we want to hear from you. We’re currently building our contact list, planning sessions, and seeking input on what matters most to those directly affected.
Save the Date: September 11 – 13, 2026
Location: Gig Harbor Yaght Club, Gig Harbor, Washington
Registration (when it opens) will be capped at 75 people. Cost: $250
🕊️ To stay informed or get involved, email us at: aftermath.of.homicide@gmail.com
📣 Share this post with health care providers, social service agencies, faculty and others. Visibility starts with awareness.
👐 Join us in creating something long overdue—because every voice matters, especially the ones that have gone unheard for too long.
