Crime Survivors
Survivors of Homicide
&
Witness Justice

Crime survivors know that, from out of the blue, crime can shatter anyone's life.

He is the victim of a crime that changed him forever. The life he once had is gone. That life died with his daughter, Shanna Van Dyn Hoven, almost two years ago, when a coward attacked her with a knife while she was jogging. She was 18. She was beautiful, intelligent, intuitive and loving. ... Stephen Van Dyn Hoven is surrounded by memories of his daughter. They help him survive. They guide him in his new life. It’s a life that includes a career helping other victims. “I don’t think, if you ever knew something like this was going to happen, that you’d think you would ever survive," he said. ... He’d seen a counselor and that helped. But, in meeting with other victims, he found a place where he belonged. “A lot of the counseling for me was when I talked with other victims, because you help each other. There’s a lot more of them out there than you realize.”
Excerpted from The Post-Crescent (WI) – 20 April 2002

Lorraine Bond, mother of slain Deputy Donald Bond, shared her family’s story of losing a loved one to violence. She told of answering the door and seeing the Deputy Chief and two other officers standing on her front porch. “I let them in and as I was backing away from the door, I started crying and saying, ‘No, no.’” Mrs. Bond said she asked if her son was all right. “I’m sorry,” the Sheriff said. ... “No more would I hear his voice say, ‘Look Mom, at my beautiful bride,’” Mrs. Bond said. “Our lives are changed forever.”
Excerpted from Chattanooga.net – 23 April 2002

Survivors of Homicide, Inc., helps homicide survivors with the legal system and financial aid. They can be reached at www.survivorsofhomicide.com.

Witness Justice provides information, support, and direct assistance to any survivor who may have questions in the aftermath of violence. Contact at www.witnessjustice.org.

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 for crime survivors at:
• Crime Survivors - Overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and grieving the loss of a loved one to crime.
• Parents of Murdered Children help parents who’ve lost a child to murder.
• Survivors of Homicide (YOU’RE NOW ON THIS PAGE) 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

Return to:
Survivors - Overview
Crime-Safety-Security Home Page