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“Transforming Society’s Response to Homicide”

The Annual Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month (SHVAM) was created to educate the public and policymakers about the impact of murder on families and communities and uplift the peace-building efforts of Survivors Homicide Victims.

Ceremony to Kickoff 20th Annual Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month
(November 20-December 20)

BOSTON – The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI) will host a celebration in honor of Survivors of Homicide Victims on Friday, November 20, at 1 p.m. The event will be streamed online and can be viewed via Facebook, Youtube, and the LDBPI’s website.

The ceremony, which marks the 20th Annual Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month (SHVAM) will recognize and honor Alexis R. Smith, Ruth Rollins, and Tanoy A. Burton, three survivors in its network that have continued to Inform, Influence, and Impact the community through-out this pandemic. The ceremony is to serve as a reminder that survivors are still here, standing in solidarity and working towards positive change in public policy, social justice, and stability. The event will also discuss the broad impact of murder, trauma, grief and loss and share how LDBPI works to provide important resources and uplift communities with peace-building efforts in partnership with local and government agencies.  

The LDBPI works closely with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Boston Police Department Homicide Unit, the Boston Public Health Commission, and Boston’s Neighborhood Trauma Teams to ensure Survivors of Homicide Victims receive meaningful and compassionate support while experiencing the impacts of murder, trauma, grief and loss. 

“All lives are valued. All families deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion regardless of the circumstances,” said LDBPI Founder, President & CEO Chaplain Clementina (Tina) Chéry. “Every day, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute supports communities and families enduring the impact of homicide. This celebration is an opportunity to include members of the Boston community in our work to spread peace and compassion. We invite all our friends and neighbors to join us in acknowledging the experience of Survivors of Homicide Victims.” 

WHO:

  • Louis D. Brown Peace Institute 
  • Survivors of Homicide Victims
  • Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
  • Attorney General Maura Healey
  • State Senator Nick Collins
  • Representative Dan Hunt
  • Representative Liz Miranda

WHAT: 

Celebration of Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month, which was enacted in 2000 to educate the public and policymakers about the impact of murder on families and communities and uplift the peace-building efforts of Survivors.

WHEN: 

Friday, November 20 from 1-2:30 p.m. 

WHERE: 

WHY: 

The United States faces a national public health crisis of homicide, according to federal data. More than 13,000 homicides each year continue to rob families and communities of loved ones, and for every single homicide victim, there are at least 10 surviving family members, resulting in more than 130,000 new Survivors of Homicide Victims each year. Those Survivors are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, partners, grandparents, aunts, uncles, extended family members, friends, neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and communities across the country.