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By Connie Saindon, MFT Founder and Director Since-1998. Where does one go…?. When the worst has happened? When someone you love has been murdered or died in a violent way? When first responders leave? Who knows and understands?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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By Connie Saindon, MFTFounder and Director
Since-1998
Where does one go…?
When the worst has happened?When someone you love has been murdered or died
in a violent way?When first responders leave?Who knows and understands?
Our Logo… (story on our website at www.svlp.org)
Why our program….?We are there when others leave…We are the only program in San Diego County, as
well as one of the few in the Nation to provide specialized violent services after Violent Death.
We are trained in the kind of grief that does not go away with time.
We offer opportunities for Survivors to be with each other.
We can provide information on other adjunct providers and agencies.
Our approach includes lessons from survivors.
Our Mission
“Your support is our mission” to
“ Provide a Lifeline of Hope and Healing”
and Build a community of support
CS/02
NationallyNationally
50,000 violent deaths annually50,000 violent deaths annually
plusplus
10-12 additional “10-12 additional “co-victims”co-victims”
(doesn’t count DUI, terrorist fatalities and war)
Co-Victims DefinedCo-Victims Defined
The term “co-victim” was created due to a lack of recognition for the needs of survivors, and therefore were underserved.
Office of Victims of Crime Bulletin, August 1998
This department provided funds to train other cities in 1998.
• You become a member of a club you never wanted to join.
• You have paid the highest dues.• You have a lifetime membership.
C. S.
THE NEED IN SAN DIEGO111 Homicides 370 Suicides (SANDAG)115 Drunk Driving Fatalities (MADD)
Twelve people significantly impacted = 7,152 each year
Statistics provided by: San Diego County Sheriffs Department, 2007, San Diego Community
Health Improvement Partners and MADD 2006.
Survivor quote…
“No one understands the magnitude of this. You end up a body with no life in it.”
Co-Victim of Homicide, 1998
Multiple Levels of Complexity
MurderSuicideDUI fatalityShaken baby deathGang killingTerrorist fatalityMurder/suicide
No bodyMultiple suspects/trialsFirst arrest-26 years
after deathNo suspectHappened in another
stateKiller found not guiltyMore…
Multiple Players and Roles
DetectivesParamedics/EMT’sMedical ExaminersMediaVictim AdvocatesClean up Services
District AttorneyEmployers/SchoolsReligious/SpiritualMorticiansCemeteriesSecurity
Unnatural Death is Different Violent
A Violation- a wrong doing
Volitional-on purpose
Voyeuristic- private becomes public
Three basic Assumptions may be shatteredshattered following trauma:
The World is SafeLife has MeaningI have worth
Shattered Assumptions by Ronnie Bulman-Janoff , 1992
A survivor said it well with this cartoon of what if feels to be her…
MeUnplugged
fromLIFE
Another survivors said: “Life is like a Dali painting”
Impact of loss is incomprehensible!
The complexity and competing aspects of each loss can easily overwhelm the family, the community and service professionals who all work to regain a sense of safety, meaning and hope.
Additional Stressors
Reconciling how loved one diedThreat(s) may continue to exist Media making public what was privateCrime Scene DemandsVictim IdentificationMedical Exam requirementsLegal imperativesSecurityProbate
Second Wounds….When co-victims are blamed for not preventing what
happened
When the legal system does not give them a role
Courts seem to treat criminals better than victims
When family members are treated and considered suspects
Wounds
The pain of homicide bereavement (and other violent deaths) is described as intense, unprecedented, and inescapable.
The response of the community to survivors is often so inadequate that it has been called ‘‘secondary victimization’’.
Amick-McMullan, Kilpatrick, & Veronen, 1989. 1991; Getzel & Masters,
1984; Redmond, 1989; Rynearson, 1984; Sprang, McNeil, & Wright, 1989; Spungen, 1998
Normal reactions…Can be:Being possessed with
what has happenedCompulsive care-
givingCompulsive inquiry
SVLP founder and sister “Tiny"
To abnormal events
“It will bring you to your knees;” says a father whose daughter who was killed.
Clinical picture may includePTSD; experiences of intrusive reenactment and
avoidance.
Major Depression, DX not given until 2 mo. After loss.
Traumatic Grief/ Complicated Bereavement.
Victimization; rage and a sense of defilement .
Compulsive inquiry; a social and psychological need for investigation and punishment of the murderer.
It is the malicious intent in It is the malicious intent in deaths such as homicide and deaths such as homicide and terrorism that increase stressorsterrorism that increase stressors
9/11 Study9/11 StudySample size N=2,752Sample size N=2,752
11% - PTSD37% - mild-moderate PTSD symptoms51% - evidenced resilient outcomes with 1-0 PTSD
symptoms
Problem with the study: relied on phone interviews for diagnosis
(Galea, Ahearn, Resnick et. , al. 2002)
BEGS for further research
Veterans with PTSD are more likely to have heart attacks years later
Medical authorities first accepted PTSD as a psychiatric condition in 1980 at the urging of Vietnam Vets
This new study is the first to link PTSD with health problems 10-15 years later
Laura Kubzansky, Harvard, 2007
Theory
Separation distress occurs as a result of the loss of a loved one as understood by attachment theory
Trauma Distress which relates more to how someone died
Re-membering loved ones: Memento Box
The ChallengesThe Challenges1. Help deal with the loss of your loved
one and your longing for reunion.
2. Help you get past revenge and re-enactment imagery that is intrusive.
3. Foster your ability to self-soothe to help contain overwhelming emotions.
4. Navigate the many competing complexities
Survivors Club Survivors Club
Co-victim volunteers who have become Survivors and part of the team to help others
Open to all participants who are members of a club they never wanted to be a member of
Survivors Club Survivors Club
Activities include:
Candle Light vigilHoliday Memorial, 5K Walks/Light the Night Against CrimeTree Planting/Crime Victims Oak Garden Potlucks & PicnicsFundraising
Candlelight Vigil – Crime Victims Week
Victim Assistance Coordinating Council
Tree planting at the Crime Victims Oak Garden
Fundraiser car wash for the Homicide Support Project
Annual Holiday Memorial
Tenth Anniversary, 2008
Annual River of Remembrance
UCSD Appreciation DinnerVolunteers and Staff
Community of Supporth has included…District Attorney, Bonnie DumanisCynthia Charlebois, Director Victim/Assistance Lt. Tom Bennett, SD Co. SheriffMichelle Del Conte, San Felipe FoundationJoyce Knott, Cara Knott FoundationJim and Wilma Knott, Crime Victims Oak
GardenVictim Assistance Coordinating Council Parents of Murdered Children
Paula Myers, MADDSurvivors Club MembersAnna Knuth, SDPD-Crisis Intervention TeamWendy Maurer, Ph.D, Red Cross, Disaster
Mental HealthCarmela CalderaYolanda BoydEric & Lisa Hoffacker, www.CarterDesignWorks Elizabeth Munroe, webmaster
Community of Support continued:
People say the darndest things…Do say…
My regrets to you… Their loved ones name Just listen Don’t say you know how they feel unless you too have
lost someone in a violent way
More on our website under Support www.svlp.org
Add yours to our list at [email protected]
The Journey Ten steps to learning to live with Violent Death:
Adult Survivors Individual workbook kit
& accompanying Calming Exercises CD
Order yours [email protected]
Upcoming EventsCurrent Postings at
1. http://svlpnetwork.wordpress.com
2. Website http://www.svlp.org
3. Email [email protected]
4. Or Call 616-685-0005
““Tiny’s” RoleTiny’s” RoleDecember 8, 1961 at age of December 8, 1961 at age of 17, my sister, “Tiny”, the third 17, my sister, “Tiny”, the third child of eight, was murderedchild of eight, was murdered.”.”
Connie SaindonConnie Saindon
Iris is her symbol Iris is her symbol Represents HOPERepresents HOPE