Victims' families need more support, report suggests

The families of murder and manslaughter victims require more support from police, courts and support groups, a report has suggested.

The survey, conducted by Victim Support, comprised interviews with 41 bereaved relatives as well as findings from focus groups with police, probation employees and Victim Support employees and volunteers.

The report said that grief following a homicide was different to that following a death from natural causes. It said that people could experience "intense and overwhelming emotions", over a long period of time, which could affect the normal functioning of everyday life.

The report found that some relatives were often unable to touch their loved ones after the death, because the bodies were considered to be "evidence". Victim Support said that some relatives even had to be restrained.

Families also reported having to wait months to hold a funeral, because of the difficulties in getting the body released from the coroner.

Domestic matters, such as paying household bills, could easily be overlooked following the death, the charity said. If the homicide happened in the family home, the report said, it would be in "turmoil" and might even be sealed off as a crime scene.

Having someone to step in and organise the clearing up when the family returns or to answer and screen phone calls would be "extremely helpful", the charity said.

Grief could be further complicated by involvement in the criminal justice system, the report said, and processes could "inhibit and slow down grief reactions and intensify feelings of powerlessness and anger."

One victim's mother told Victim Support that she wanted ongoing contact with the police. She said: "Even if they have nothing to tell me, I have questions."

Peter Dunn, Head of Research & Development at Victim Support, said: "The effect of bereavement by murder or manslaughter is emotionally and psychologically devastating for the hidden victims - the family and friends left behind.

"Our research paints a graphic picture of the wide-ranging feelings and circumstances that they experience. It gives us a new insight into the support needs of people bereaved by homicide."

The report made a series of recommendations, including: a need for more active, practical help for bereaved people; closer work between organisations working with people bereaved by homicide; improved communication and ensuring that bereaved people can be helped more effectively; and updating Victim Support's training.

A Home Office spokesperson welcomed the report and said that the government wanted to "work closely" with the charity to see how support services could be improved.

(KMcA/GB)