Abstract
What is the impact of homicide on the surviving loved ones? While we study and treat the intense trauma and rage common in these “homicide survivors,” it is easy to overlook the remarkable phenomenon of “homicide activism.” This is the remarkable tendency of many otherwise ordinary citizens (like Candy Lightner, John Walsh, the Pan Am Flight 103 parents) to suddenly emerge as ferocious activists for social change. For decades, this phenomenon remains an “untold story,” how these homicide activists have somehow transformed their anguish and rage into activism – going well beyond their own loss to powerfully transform their society with bold new pro-victim policies. Based on early observations by forensic psychologist Morton Bard (Bard & Sangrey, 1979), this evidence-based report is in four parts: (1) it defines the notion of homicide activism, (2) pulls together a table listing over 25 exemplars, (3) draws on some of these case studies to examine many aspects of homicide activism, and (4) suggests focusing more systematic behavioral research – both quantitative and qualitative – to better understand the phenomenon of homicide activism and its potential for helping victims of other crimes as well.
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Leeolou, M.C., Takooshian, H. (2020). Homicide Activism: A Call for Research on a Neglected Phenomenon. In: Javier, R., Owen, E., Maddux, J. (eds) Assessing Trauma in Forensic Contexts. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33106-1_6
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