NCJ Number
127505
Date Published
1988
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This handbook is designed to help families of murder victims and the persons who assist them in the process of recovery. It discusses the process from the perspective of the family, the criminal justice system, and victims' rights.
Abstract
It explains how the grieving process differs for families of murder victims. Funeral issues; talking to children about death; coping with the murder of a child or parent; religion, advocacy and support groups; and danger signals in the recovery process are addressed. Brief descriptions are provided about the function of the police department, district attorney's office, victim assistance program, the prison system, and the parole board to help the families of murder victims better understand the role of these organizations in solving the crime and punishing the perpetrator. Victims' rights are then discussed in relation to media coverage of the crime. The Texas Crime Victim Rights, a glossary of legal terms and a crime victim information sheet, are appended as well as a crime victim impact statement, State resources, and crime victims compensation.