Welcome to our video series, “After A Homicide” consisting of eight pre-recorded informational sessions with those who work in homicide investigations, prosecution and family support. The BC Victims of Homicide has produced this series of videos to help explain, inform and educate individuals on the elements of the homicide investigative process; from those who work directly with homicide investigations, the prosecution of the case, and those who provide emotional support and healing for the families.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE WITH DR. ALANA ABRAMSON
Dr. Alana Abramson is a Kwantlen Polytechnic University Criminology Instructor and is deeply involved with restorative justice. Restorative justice is about addressing the needs that arise from harm. It puts victims and survivors at the center of this approach and tries to find ways to promote meaningful accountability with people who have done harm to start to move towards reparation and healing. In cases of homicide, restorative justice is not an alternative, but rather can work alongside the judicial process.
“LESSONS LEARNED” WITH JIM CESSFORD, FORMER CHIEF OF DELTA POLICE AND HOMICIDE INVESTIGATOR
Jim Cessford has over 47 years of experience in policing and homicide investigations. He was with the Edmonton Police for 27 years and worked in positions including as a homicide investigator. He then was chief of the Delta Police for 20 years. He shares his “lessons learned” through his experiences working on the front lines of homicide investigations.
*Please Note:* Some may find the details discussed in this video disturbing. Please take care in watching this video. If you need support you can call the Helpline Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm for compassionate listening at 604-738-9950 or the 24-hour Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433 or click https://crisiscentre.bc.ca
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH PARENTS WHO LOST THEIR SON TO HOMICIDE – DAWN AND DANNY SANDHU
Listen to Dawn & Danny Sandhu discuss the tragic loss of their son Jaylen, their experience working with Crown Counsel and the judicial process to convict the offender of Jaylen’s homicide, and how they have made meaning through the creation of the Jaylen Sandhu Dreams Foundation
*Please Note:* Some may find the details discussed in this video disturbing. Please take care in watching this video. If you need support you can call the Helpline Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm for compassionate listening at 604-738-9950 or the 24-hour Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433 or click https://crisiscentre.bc.ca
HOMICIDE GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP TESTIMONIALS
Our fifth video features five past participants of a homicide grief support group. Hear how they speak of coping with the stigma and isolation of being a homicide survivor, the acceptance, comfort and shared understanding of meeting each other in the group and the benefits of the group on their lives as they continue their grief journeys.
*Please Note:* Some may find the details discussed in this video disturbing. Please take care in watching this video. If you need support you can call the Helpline Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm for compassionate listening at 604-738-9950 or the 24-hour Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433 or click https://crisiscentre.bc.ca
THE ROLE OF CROWN COUNSEL IN A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
Wendy Stephen, Queens Counsel, Crown Counsel of New Westminster talks with the BCBH Executive Director, Jessica Lowe about the role the Crown Counsel hold with a homicide investigation.
THE ROLE OF POLICE/RCMP IN A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
Sergeant Frank Jang, Media Relations & Strategic Communications, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) talks with the BCBH Executive Director, Jessica Lowe about the role the police and RCMP hold with a homicide investigation.
THE ROLE OF VICTIM SERVICES IN SUPPORTING FAMILIES DURING A HOMICIDE
Sue Baker, Victim Services Coordinator, Vancouver Police and Lovepreet Brar, Family Liaison Victim Services/IHIT discuss how victim services can help families dealing with the incredible stress of a homicide loss and navigataion through the court process.
Here are links to resources that Sue and Lovepreet refer to in this video:
- The Victim Safety Unit – provides victims with information about the accused or offender while they are in the community (on bail or probation) and in custody.
- Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) – a BC financial benefits program to assist victims, immediate family members and certain witnesses in dealing with the effects of violent crime.
- The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights – Victims have the right to receive information about the justice system, and about the services and programs available to them. Victims may also obtain specific information on the progress of the case, including information on the investigation, prosecution and sentencing of the person who harmed them.
- The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (CRCVC) – since 1993, the CRCVC has provided support, research and education to survivors of serious crime and stakeholders in Canada.
- Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) – IHIT serves 28 RCMP B.C. communities and 4 municipal police communities (Abbotsford, New Westminster, Port Moody, West Vancouver) from Pemberton to Boston Bar, including Sechelt.
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA WITH A HOMICIDE
Sergeant Frank Jang, Media Relations & Strategic Communications, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) talks with the BCBH Executive Director, Jessica Lowe about the role that media plays in a homicide investigation. Listen to Frank speak of how he uses the media to help solve the crime, and how families can best work with this resource.
As mentioned in this video, there is the Family Guide: Support for Families of Homicide Victims or Missing Persons where Foul Play is Suspected brochure to help families understand all support services available if your homicide case is being handled by the IHIT team. Please click here for the English version,. The brochure is also offered in eight languages as listed below: