Informing Municipal Policies & Identifying Best Practices to Support Women Survivors of Homicide
Boston University School of Social Work doctoral student Kendall Johnson and Assistant Professor Linda Sprague Martinez will conduct an in-depth analysis of the Women Survivors of Homicide Movement (WSOHM), aimed at informing the organization’s existing work. They will conduct systematic analysis of WSOHM and their change strategy and tactics in order to examine how multifaceted manifestations of power and privilege impact the manner in which the WSOHM identifies itself and seeks to create change.
Founded in 2014 by Ms. Mary Franklin, WSOHM is an advocacy organization for victims of unsolved homicides and their families. In many capacities, WSOHM operates in partnership with the Boston Police Department (BPD) to share information with families of victims and with the community. Due to their advocacy, there is a new room for survivors at BPD stations as well as new data collection procedures for survivors. Moving forward, WSOHM aims to develop programming to address trauma among women survivors of homicide, specifically for women of color, with support from the Mayor’s office and BPD.
By systematically analyzing characteristics of WSOHM as well as the strategies and tactics they employ, BUSSW researchers in collaboration with Ms. Franklin will identify best practices for municipalities beyond Boston seeking to address the priorities and needs of women survivors of homicide. In addition, the researchers will disseminate best practices for the development of partnerships between municipal leadership, law enforcement, and women survivors of homicide.
View more projects funded through our Early Stage Urban Research Awards