City considers new homicide response protocols to curb epidemic of violence
Philadelphia – Homicides in Philadelphia have increased 23% from last year, impacting many of the same Black and brown communities that are bearing the disproportionate impact from the spread of COVID-19. Providing resources to heal from murder, trauma, grief and loss is particularly important because of the recent murders of African-American men and women by white police officers. Pain and anger from generations of disregard for Black lives is prompting unrest across the nation. Facing the culmination of these factors, experts are teaming up to provide culturally relevant resources to Survivors of Homicide Victims across the city of Philadelphia.
The Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia (AVP) is working to ensure that every Survivor and every agency in Philadelphia serving Survivors of Homicide Victims has access to the necessary resources after the tragedy of a murder. The strategy is rooted in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s social-ecological framework that interventions are needed at multiple levels to interrupt cycles of violence.
As a first step, AVP is providing the Survivors’ Burial and Resource Guide: A Step-by-Step Guide for Regaining Control to entities across Philadelphia that come in contact with family members of someone who was murdered. The purpose of the Burial Guide is to help families heal, regain control of their lives, and achieve peace after the traumatic death of a loved one to murder. The Burial Guide is a step-by-step tool to assist Survivors and Providers in managing the crisis and chaos in the aftermath of homicide.
“Our inner-city and Black and brown communities that experience systemic discrimination, racism, and poverty, are also dealing with a disproportionate impact from COVID-19,” said Kendra Van de Water, the director of the Intra-Familial Homicide Initiative of the AVP. “With this resource, we are able to support families who are experiencing grief from a murder during this time of isolation. This tool will help families have better access to more practical and culturally relevant resources through their journey of healing.”
Without a space and the resources for learning and healing, cycles of violence are perpetuated. But through training and resources – community advocates, police, educators, faith leaders, funders, legislators and those impacted – will we truly transform the City’s response and create a peaceful community for the next generation.
AVP’s outreach goes beyond responders and families. This year, a training with Harcum College students in the Criminal Justice Program was held for students who plan to pursue a career as a police officer, FBI/CIA agent, or detective, or to go into similar fields in the criminal justice system. Anthony Berry, a student who attended the training in March, said he “felt inspired.”
“We need to start education around cycles of violence and the response to homicide to the students who will enter jobs in criminal justice,” said Jaclyn Mason, the Director of the Criminal Justice Program at Harcum College. “I saw the impact firsthand that attending a training like this can have on students who want to enter this field.”
“We need to become a stronger whole,” said Berry. “And we need to work together to improve the City, so that communities thrive and the streets are safer for everyone to live, work and play.”
AVP hopes to continue supporting the City’s ability to respond to homicide so that it is effective and equitable. The Burial Guide and subsequent trainings are critical steps toward providing equitable services to families who are disproportionately impacted by murder and ensuring that all families are treated with dignity and compassion, starting with the death notification, regardless of the circumstances.
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About Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia
The Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia (AVP) is the only organization in Philadelphia whose mission is to reduce the entire cycle of violence by providing intervention, prevention, and support programs. AVP was founded 30 years ago as a support group for families who had lost a loved one to murder. AVP’s original program, Families of Murder Victims (FMV), quickly became a valuable support for co-victims of homicide by offering court accompaniment, advocacy, and support.
Today, The Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia is helping children and youth resolve conflict nonviolently, while assisting victims and their families to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violence. Our mission is to end the cycle of violence in Philadelphia through comprehensive and collaborative programs in local communities. To find out how to help, visit our donate and get involved pages.