- Isolation and helplessness in a world that is seen as hostile and uncaring and that frequently blames the victim.
- Feelings of guilt for not having protected the victim.
- The memory of a mutilated body at the morgue; “How much did my loved one suffer?”
- Getting back the personal belongings of a murder victim.
- Sensational and/or inaccurate media coverage.
- Lack of information.
- Endless grief.
- Loss of ability to function on the job, at home or in school, etc.
- The strain on marriages (frequently resulting in divorce) and the strain on family relationships.
- Effects on health, faith and values.
- Effects on other family members, children, friends, co-workers, etc.
- Indifference of the community, including professionals, to the plight of survivors.
- Society’s attitude regarding murder as a form of entertainment.
- Financial burden of medical and funeral expenses.
- Medical expenses for stress-related illnesses and professional counseling for surviving family members.
- Financial burden of hiring private investigators, etc.
- Public sympathy for murderers.
- The feeling that the murderer, if found, gets all the help; survivors of homicide victims have few rights.
- Outrage about the leniency of the murderer’s sentence.
- Disparities in the judicial system (frequently punishments for property crimes are as great or greater than the crime of taking a human life).
- Anger over a plea-bargain arrangement/agreement.
- Frustration at not being allowed inside the courtroom at the time of trial.
- Unanswered questions about the crime, such as “What happened?”
- Unanswered questions about postponements and continuous delays throughout the trial.
- Bitterness and loss of faith in the American criminal justice system.
- After conviction, the long appeals process begins.
- Constantly reliving your story through the dreaded parole process.