Wednesday, December 27, 2006

The survivors...

Problems of Survivors

1. Isolation and helplessness in a world that is seen as hostile and uncaring and that frequently blames the victim.
2.Feelings of guilt for not having protected the victim.
3.The memory of a mutilated body at the morgue; "How much did my loved one suffer?"
4.Getting back the personal belongings of a murder victim.
5.Sensational and/or inaccurate media coverage.
6.Lack of information.
7.The strain on marriages (frequently resulting in divorce) and the strain on family relationships.
8.Effects on health, faith and values.
9.Effects on other family members, children, friends, co-workers, etc.
10.Indifference of the community, including professionals, to the plight of survivors.
11.Financial burden of medical and funeral expenses.
12.Public sympathy for murderers.
13.Outrage about the leniency of the murderer's sentence.
14.Disparities in the judicial system (frequently punishments for property crimes are as great or greater than the crime of taking a human life).
15.Anger over a plea-bargain arrangement/agreement.
16.Unanswered questions about the crime, such as "What happened?"
17.Constantly reliving your story through the dreaded parole process.