Citation

Horne C. J. Fam. Violence 2003; 18(2): 75-82.

Affiliation

School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, University Plaza, Atlanta, Georgia

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1023/A:1022831530134

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Homicides precipitate numerous problems for victims' families that can be eased, in part, by counseling, case management, and court advocacy services. Guided by a crisis theory framework, the records of 112 homicide victims' family members (or survivors) served by a public victims assistance agency were examined to discern typical service utilization patterns and differences for survivors of intrafamilial homicides (i.e., cases in which the perpetrator was a family member of the victim). Results indicated that survivors of intrafamilial homicides utilized services during the initial 8-week crisis period following the homicide more than other survivors, yet used services less during the subsequent 8-week period. The findings substantiated the application of crisis theory to studying the experiences of survivors and underscored the importance of considering survivors' familial relationships to perpetrators in the provision of services.