‘I don‘t know what you people are so concerned about’: homicide survivors’ experience with the Canadian criminal justice system

Abstract

Victims of crime are often confused and frustrated by the criminal justice process. Those who have lost loved ones to homicide – often called ‘homicide survivors,’ ‘secondary victims,’ or ‘co-victims’ – suffer not only loss and a justice system that seems to have little place for them, but are often also left unaware of the circumstances of their loved one’s death. The current study sought to further our understanding of the experience of homicide survivors in the Canadian justice system. Toward this end, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five individuals who lost loved ones to homicide. Results showed that receiving information and being treated kindly were far more important than having an influence over the proceedings; additionally, there was a great deal of distrust of the justice system as a whole, regardless of the kindness shown by individual actors in the system. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Homicide
• survivors
• secondary victims
• co-victims
• criminal justice
• Canada

Notes

1. BC Victims of Homicide offers support groups for homicide survivors and training for professionals who interact with survivors; the organization does not offer assistance throughout the justice process (e.g. victim services).

2. See http://www.qsrinternational.com/products_nvivo.aspx.

3. What is often excluded is financial compensation outside of a province or territory’s crime victim compensation. Homicide survivors may additionally be eligible for Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children or Canada Pension Plan benefits (e.g. the death benefit, children’s benefit, or survivor’s benefit). These programs are detailed on the website of Service Canada.

4. The right to present a Victim Impact Statement was added to the Criminal Code of Canada in 1988.