“Never Say the C Word:” Asking the Experts on Closure, Justice, and Homicide Survivorship

• In Event: Justice and Recovery Post-Homicide

Abstract

The criminal justice system, the media, and individuals perpetuate the rhetoric of “closure,” which frames the end of grief for homicide survivors, or murder victims’ loved ones, as an attainable “goal” on their path to healing. Public discourse has also framed the death penalty as “justice” for homicide survivors. Little scholarly attention has addressed homicide survivors’ experiences, and perceptions of closure and justice. This research addresses this gap using in-depth, qualitative interviews with 32 community, academic, and criminal justice experts on homicide survivorship to explore the meanings of closure and justice for homicide survivors. The results indicate that “closure” does not exist for homicide survivors, and serves as an inaccurate term to describe homicide survivors’ posthomicide experience and needs. Homicide survivors’ meanings of “justice” depend on the individual, focusing on some form of perpetrator accountability or failing to exist at all. The research findings have implications for professionals, policy, and future research.

Authors

• Larissa Saco, Occidental College

• Danielle Dirks, Occidental College