“No One Can Feel My Pain”: The Experience of Black Women Survivors of Homicide Victims and System Agents’ Perspectives on the Impact of Homicide in the Boston Area

Abstract

Black communities are disproportionately affected by homicide and the family and friends of homicide victims, known as survivors of homicide victims, are left behind to cope with their loss. These survivors of homicide victims must deal with the trauma of the death and obtaining justice for their loved one. Also, homicide deaths impact the whole community. There is limited research on the experiences of Black survivors of homicide victims. This exploratory phenomenological qualitative study examines the experiences of Black survivors of homicide victims in the Boston area, the impact that homicide deaths have on survivors, and the perspectives of systems agents directly involved with the aftermath of the homicide. The study was guided by the conceptual framework Model of Coping for African American Survivors of Homicide Victims (MCAASHV) and took into consideration the contexts and systems survivors interact with (ecological theory) and the ideologies shaping them (Critical Race Theory). Qualitative interviews were conducted with three Black family members of homicide victims and three system agents directly involved with homicide deaths that occur in Boston, Massachusetts. A narrative approach was used to identify themes in the data. Findings indicated that the Black survivors’ experience in Boston is characterized by dealing with simultaneous trauma and grief caused by the murder and navigating weak relationships with law enforcement and criminal justice systems. The findings also revealed that survivors and systems agents have differing opinions on why homicides are unsolved in Black communities. These findings have implications for research and the development of support services and interventions that are appropriate for Black survivors.