NCJ Number
194461
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse: A Review Journal Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 109-124
Date Published
April 2002
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article appraises the relevance of the literature on trauma, bereavement, and meaning-making for covictims of homicide.
Abstract
Families and friends ("covictims") of homicide victims have been given less attention than other types of victims. The trauma literature is relevant to comprehending covictims' encounters with traumatic death, criminal victimization, and the shattering of assumptions about order, meaning, and self-worth. The bereavement literature is pertinent to appreciating the complexity of their grief reactions. The literature on meaning-making is germane to understanding how they cope in the aftermath of the tragedy. Trauma is a significant factor in a covictim's response to murder. Some studies have begun to delineate risk factors that can exacerbate trauma and distress, and other studies have introduced intervention strategies to help relieve and empower covictims. The article suggests that covictims of homicide should be recognized as a distinct and vulnerable population and that future research should broaden the scope of inquiry beyond posttraumatic stress disorder. Finally, the practice field should develop innovative models to address the idiosyncratic, unique, and complex needs of family members. Table, references, bibliography