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This website has been created as a personal therapeutic expression of my own experience with homicide loss. It is built with the hope of connecting with other survivors who are navigating the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one to violence. Here, you will find access to resources available across Canada and beyond — tools, services, and connections that I wish had been easier to find during my early stages of grief. You are not alone. Through shared stories, support, and connection, we can walk this healing journey together.
In addition to local and national support, this site also introduces a broader vision through the Global Homicide Project, an initiative committed to uniting survivors and raising awareness on an international level.
The Creation of BC Victims of Homicide
Through a series of personal processing, making meaningful and powerful connections, and moving back to BC I was determined to start up BC’s first homicide support group program. Partnering up with Jo-Ann Turner-Crean and the BC Bereavement Helpline (BCBH) supported my dream of helping other homicide loss survivors.
With additional support from local, federal, and municipal governments, victims, partner affiliations, sponsors, donors, grant programs through the Board of Directors, Helpline staff and volunteers, Ducharme successfully created “BC Victims of Homicide.” A, then, new critical service to support homicide survivors in their journey of healing and reconciliation under the umbrella organization BCBH has become a national voice helping with the creation of a Charter of Rights for Victims of Crime among other provincial and national education, training, political and grief and trauma support initiatives.
BC Victims of Homicide operates under the umbrella organization, The British Columbia Bereavement Helpline, and still requires your ongoing support! Thank you for considering a contribution to help survivors heal.
Umbrella Organization: The BC Bereavement Helpline (BCBH)
Compassionate Listening and Care, Information, Support and Referrals
The BCBH has a 40-year history of providing bereavement support services and is a leading global organization in the field of bereavement. The provincial Helpline has assisted over 40,000 callers since its inception in 1988 and continues to be the only free, grief-specific helpline via phone and email in Canada.
When you contact the BC Bereavement Helpline, your call or email will be answered by a caring, compassionate volunteer who, through the BCBH Resource Directory, can access information for 300+ organizations that help those coping with grief and loss located in over 80 communities in BC. Volunteers are also trained to provide compassionate listening, so if all you need is to talk to someone, the Helpline volunteers are there to listen. Your call is free, confidential, anonymous, and will be treated with care in helping you find the most appropriate support for your specific type of loss.
Volunteers are trained to provide compassionate listening, so if all you need is to talk to someone, the Helpline volunteers are there to listen. Your call is free, confidential, anonymous, and will be treated with care in helping you find the most appropriate support for your specific type of loss and geographical location.
The Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Former Member of Parliament (Left), Jo-Ann Turner Crean, Past-President British Columbia Bereavement Helpline (middle), and Christopher Ducharme, BCBH Past President and Founder of BC Victims of Homicide (right). At a Government of Canada Federal press conference and announcement of our first federal funding for the BCVOH program.
“I felt it was valuable for all of us to learn each other’s stories and how each person handles their pain. The classes were well put together and I found that I learned more regarding P.T.S.D. and how to handle my stress better.”
~Victim/Participant (anonymous) – BCVOH Homicide Loss Support Groups