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 of Homicide Victims.
BOSTON, MA – The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI) will host a virtual ceremony to kickoff the 21st Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month (SHVAM) on Friday, November 19 at 10 a.m. The event will be streamed online and can be viewed via Facebook and the website.
During the ceremony, LDBPI will recognize Rahsaan Peters, this year’s Inform, Influence, and Impact awardee from Boston. Rahsaan is a Violence Recovery Advocate/Coordinator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), working to provide support to patients and families admitted to BWH as a result of physical trauma. Rahsaan is one of the most compassionate and dedicated advocates in this work of serving families of homicide victims and his community. Rahsaan’s ability to make connections, collaborate and meet the family’s needs far exceeds the call of duty. From his advocacy within his role at BWH to the ground work with survivors, these are some of the reasons why we honor Rahsaan Peters with the Inform, Influence, Impact Award.
“Families and communities impacted by homicide deserve services, support resources, and to be treated with compassion and dignity. This ceremony recognizes those in our community who have been affected by the ongoing violence of the current homicide rates in the country,” said LDBPI President & CEO Chaplain Clementina (Tina) Chéry. “We welcome neighbors and friends in the Boston area to join the celebration and honor our survivors.”
WHO:
- Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
- Survivors of Homicide Victims Network
- Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
- State Senator Nick Collins
- Rahsaan Peters, Inform, Influence, and Impact awardee
WHAT: Virtual ceremony to recognize 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 19 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Facebook: @LDBPeaceInstitute
WHY: Homicide rates in the United States are steeply rising, and 2020 saw the largest rise in homicides within the country in the past 100 years. Each homicide leaves behind survivors who must navigate the process of grief and loss. These friends, family neighbors, and community members need resources to provide a critical sense of stability and support regardless of circumstances.
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.
The kickoff 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 the LDBPI works to provide important resources and uplift communities with peace-building efforts in partnership with local and government agencies.
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About the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI), founded in 1994, after the murder of 15 year old Louis D. Brown, serves as a Center of Healing, Teaching and Learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief and loss. The vision of the LDBPI is to create and sustain an environment where all people are valued and all families can live in peace. Additional information is available at www.LDBpeaceinstitute.org.