Homicide Support

Support for Homicide Survivors

Your story matters. You are not alone. Support is available.

Losing someone you love to violence changes everything.

Losing a loved one to homicide is an unimaginable tragedy that leaves families and communities grappling with profound grief, anger, and confusion. When someone you love is taken by homicide—whether a family member, friend, or colleague—you become more than a mourner. You become a survivor of a devastating, intentional act of violence. The trauma of murder can trigger overwhelming emotions: grief, anger, guilt, shame, fear, even suicidal thoughts. This kind of loss is unique—and so is the path to healing.

There is no single way to grieve, and we may need different kinds of support along the way—professional help, peer connection, practical resources, or simply someone who understands. By sharing stories and connecting people to resources and support, this website hopes to make the journey less lonely.

For those who have never experienced homicide loss, these stories offer an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand what survivors and families carry.

I hope that no one facing homicide loss feels they have to navigate it alone.

The BC Bereavement Helpline (BCBH)

Compassionate Listening and Care, Information, Support and Referrals

The BC Bereavement Helpline (BCBH) is an important place to begin.

For decades, BCBH has provided compassionate support, information, education, and referrals to people experiencing grief and loss throughout British Columbia. Their helpline offers a confidential place to talk with someone who will listen without judgment and help connect you with resources that may be appropriate for your circumstances.

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.

You don’t have to know exactly what you need before reaching out. Sometimes, simply having someone listen is the first step.

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.

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.

BC Bereavement Helpline
📞 604-738-9950
📞 Toll-free: 1-877-779-2223

British Columbia Bereavement Helpline Website

The BC Victims of Homicide (BCVOH)

The Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Former Member of Parliament (Left), Jo-Ann Turner Crean, past president of the 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 announcing the first federal funding for the BCVOH program.

BC Victims of Homicide operates under the umbrella organization, The British Columbia Bereavement Helpline.

For those experiencing homicide loss, finding someone who understands that grief is not always straightforward can make a significant difference in our healing. BC Victims of Homicide (BCVOH) grew from the belief that survivors deserve to have their stories heard in their own voices.

Every homicide and every experience of grief is different. BCVOH provides a safe place for victims to feel seen, heard, and understood, while simultaneously supporting others who have experienced similar loss to recognize that they are not alone.

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.

BC Victims of Homicide Webpage

“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

Other Resources

Whether you are seeking emotional support, legal assistance, financial help, or information on navigating the investigation process, the links below can connect you to additional resources.