Crime Survivors
Parents of Murdered Children

Crimes never end for crime survivors, but kind souls can help you cope.

The National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children Inc. (POMC) offers assistance to crime survivors in coping with the loss of a loved one to murder. POMC puts no time frame on grief, which can be a lifelong battle, though most crimes survivors take about five years to “stabilize” their lives. Marriages may break up, siblings may feel ignored, and friends may keep away because of confusion. Reach POMC at www.pomc.com.

Here are glimpses of similar such organizations:

It's every parent's worst nightmare – to open the door and find a grim-faced policeman, obviously the bearer of terrible news. It was what Linda and Steve Kisbee were forced to face when their son, Scott, was murdered. ... At that moment, the couple felt their world come tumbling down around them. No parent ever expects to outlive their children. Today, Linda said even now she still struggles to come to terms with what happened to her son, "People say it gets easier over time, but in some ways I don't think it ever does." ... Family and friends were brilliant, but after a time they expect you just to be able to pick up the pieces and get on with your life. But it is not that easy. "That is why services such as Victim Support are so important."
Excerpted from The Evening Telegraph (UK) – 25 February 2002 [Contact Victim Support at www.victimsupport.org.uk.]

The heart-broken father of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne has revealed for the first time how his marriage collapsed under the weight of drink-fuelled rows. "I know that when I hit my wife Sara I was actually attacking the murderer Whiting. And Sara feels the same about when she attacked me," he says. "We both feel terribly guilty about it and can't believe that disgusting man made us do this to each other. He ripped our lives apart and turned us into people who hated one another. I also felt racked with guilt. I'd failed to protect my own family and I felt worthless, like I wasn't a real man." ... Although their other children received psychiatric help, he says he and Sara were virtually ignored. Michael did find solace in the Victims of Crime Trust, the only organisation to help relatives of murder victims. "They were the only people who helped me.” ... Though they didn't plan to have more children, it was after one of the Trust's events in February that they conceived the new baby. "We felt relaxed and like the others understood us. It was the first time in ages we'd had sex, because we'd lost that intimacy."
Excerpted from The Sunday Mirror (UK) – 30 November 2003

Many people want to help you. There are hundreds of support groups worldwide for the bereaved loved ones of murder victims. They’re experts at coping with grief – and recovering.

Of the handful listed below, some are located in the US, some in the UK, and one in Australia. But it doesn’t matter where you’re located. Contact any or all of them. They’ll be happy to help you from the other side of the globe – and also refer you to a group near you for face-to-face counseling. They’re very willing to help you.

Find help at:
• Crime Survivors - Overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and grieving the loss of a loved one to crime.
• Parents of Murdered Children (YOU’RE NOW ON THIS PAGE) help parents who’ve lost a child to murder.
• Survivors of Homicide help the loved ones of murder victims with the legal system and financial aid.
• Michigan Victim Alliance help murder victims' loved ones try to heal.
• Compassionate Friends help murder victim's loved ones help each other.
• Recap of Crime Survivors.
• Rape Survivors

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