I began researching an awareness month supporting anyone who has been affected by homicide and was very disappointed to learn out of the entire U.S., only the state of Massachusetts observes such a month.
In the last five years, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, there have been 3,015 murders in the state of Georgia, with 522 alone in the year of my mother's homicide. As a society, we are uncomfortable dealing with the aftermath of a murder. We don't know what to say to survivors and often don't know what to do for them. I feel this annual observance provides a platform where as a state, we can better assist families and other individuals who have been traumatically impacted by violence and to inform our survivors of must needed grief counseling, acceptance, and eventual healing.
For every victim, there are seven to ten close relatives, not counting friends, neighbors, and co-workers affected. When a man, woman, or child is murdered, all are impacted by the devastating loss regardless of age, race, education, religion, culture, or ethnicity. Believe me when I say losing a loved one to homicide is traumatic. The loss and pain can lead to emotional and physical stress that can affect a survivor daily.
