The stories you didn't hear about on the news

Yesterday was the 5th annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Media coverage of the events were muted and sparse. Particularly compared with last week’s intensive focus on the Troy Davis case.

Watching the Davis case unfold was indeed heart-wrenching – but not only because of the still-unsettled doubts around Davis’ guilt. Davis' execution also splayed the agony of the victims’ family – the MacPhails – across our TV screens. The media spent much time referencing and interviewing members of the family – reminding us that even if Troy Davis is innocent, there is still a family who has been living with the pain of loss for over twenty years.

The reality is that murder touches thousands of families each year and, for most, the pain is suffered without national fanfare or attention. Often it is suffered without the most basic support and services. Some families are left to cope without any access to grief counseling. Some are left without even the resources to pay for the funeral expenses.

Equal Justice USA believes that justice is about much more than what we do to the people who commit crimes. It is also about how we help families and communities pick up the pieces in the aftermath of violence. It is about preventing future violence in ways that serve and engage all stakeholders, ensuring safe streets and healthy neighborhoods for all of us.

But while we strive for larger changes, we recognize that even small, individual acts can make a difference. This week, consider volunteering at your local victims’ services organization. And if you know someone personally who has lost a loved one to murder, give them a call or send them a note this week to let them know you are thinking about them.

If you have lost a loved one to murder, please know that EJUSA is thinking about you, not just this week but always. If you’d like to contact us to share your experience – or anything else – we want to hear from you. Your voice may not always be heard on the news but it is important to us. Please feel free to email us or call any time.