Homicide Survivors: Misunderstood Grievers

by Judie Bucholz

Overview

"Homicide Survivors: Misunderstood Grievers" is about families that have faced murder and how they have dealt with the trauma. It offers an interpretation of personal accounts of homicide survivors in order to understand the particular nature of homicide bereavement. The author herself a homicide survivor, Judie Bucholz offers a unique perspective and experiential base for examining the phenomenon of homicide bereavement. Her intent is to help the reader understand the homicide griever's situation both as one who grieves and one who grieves within a social context, as one who confronts horrific death at the personal level as well as at the social level.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781351843751
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/15/2002
Series:	Death, Value and Meaning Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	181
File size:	511 KB

About the Author

Judie Bucholz

Table of Contents

Part One
This section contains 10 stories from homicide survivors.

Chapter 1
Jack describes how his granddaughter was murdered. After this traumatic experience, he dedicated his life to helping homicide survivors. The path through the criminal justice system and Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) are presented.

Chapter 2
Miriam became a Victim Witness Coordinator after her son was tortured then murdered. The Victim Witness Program, Victim Impact Statement, Center of Crime Victim Services, and Megan's Law are reviewed.

Chapter 3
Sue believes her daughter was killed as a result of their daughter's boyfriend's drug related activities. Sue's health has deteriorated since the murder. The 27 Problems of Homicide Survivors are mentioned.

Chapter 4
It took 16 years to prove Ray's daughter was murdered. Issues addressed include Homicide Survivor's Rights, the medical examiner/coroner, autopsies, and victimization.

Chapter 5
Mike's brother's body was found over a year after the murder. Mike and his family never gave up looking for him. Parole and the POMC Parole Block Program are detailed.

Chapter 6
Ron, Jean, and Kim believe that two men live a life of luxury in prison while their son/brother is dead. Issues discussed include policy changes, civil recourse and types of homicide.

Chapter 7
Amanda and Angie's stories involve dangerous lifestyles that often lead to murder. Included are cases solved, Victims of Crime Act of 1984, Crime Victim Compensation, contributory misconduct, and disenfranchisement.

Chapter 8
Rita's mother was murdered during a robbery at work. The Vine Program is discussed.

Chapter 9
Rose's mother was brutally murdered during a robbery at home. Visits from the after life, sense of presence, continued relationships, and linking objects are reviewed.

Chapter 10
Judie's physicians/psychiatrists prescribed anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication, and sleeping pills to help her "get over" her husband's murder. She was subsequently diagnosed as having "chronic adjustment disorder." Issues of confidentiality and chronic adjustment disorder are detailed.

Part Two
This section contains information about the reactions of the grieving loved ones.

Chapter 11
Themes from the survivor's stories are told.

Part Three
This section contains a summary and offers suggestions to comfort the bereaved.

Chapter 12
Analysis on previous themes is performed. Issues include personal and social consequences of homicide bereavement and personal and social changes of the survivors.

Chapter 13
An explanation of the process of homicide bereavement is given. It is a personal idiosyncratic process, where the personal reality of the loss is different for each individual.

Appendix A - a 19th century letter of comfort to those left behind
Appendix B - a list of support networks
Appendix C - Extensive list of legal terms

Editorial Reviews

%>"Dr. Judie Bucholz's personal experience as a survivor of homicide, her rigorous training as a social scientist, and her unbelievable courage in the face of crushing circumstances make Homicide Survivors: Misunderstood Grievers a must read book for a number of people. Survivors of homicide will find an author who understands both their unique anguish as well as their long term need for emotional support as they move through the complicated judiciary process. Families and friends will find a book that can help them remain steadfast in their support of the survivor of homicide throughout the long convoluted grieving process. Finally, professionals such as funeral directors, professional counselors, law enforcement personnel, and members of the judicial system can learn how to avoid inflicting additional trauma on those emotionally fragile individuals. In this creative and insightful book, the reader moves back and forth between the personal tragedies of individuals and the social and cultural contexts within which healing can either be facilitated or become even more problematic through further traumatization. For too long, survivors of violence have been treated as "pathological" grievers. Bucholz transfers this label from those who hear the personal cost of violence to the society that ignores, labels and isolates them."
—Sarah Brabant, Ph.D., C.C.S., Sociology Professor Emeritus, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Publisher

Bucholz (Youngstown State U.), herself a homicide survivor, offers an interpretation of personal accounts of homicide survivors as a means of understanding the particular nature of homicide bereavement. The study is based on interviews with 13 homicide survivors, four men and nine women who have experienced the murder of a family member, and examines the homicide griever's experience within both a personal and social context. The text is intended for homicide survivors, and those who are trying to help them, including grief counselors, social workers, psychotherapists and others interested in bereavement and traumatic bereavement, funeral directors, clergy, school counselors, educators, law enforcement officials, and civil servants. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Booknews