“When you lose someone to murder, whether a family member, a co-worker, or a friend, you become another victim of the crime and a homicide survivor.”

–Christopher Ducharme

 

​Following the high profile murder of his mother Patricia Ducharme in 1996, by a former Vancouver Police Officer, Christopher Ducharme began his long journey through grief. He first sought one-

on-one counseling to help him come to terms with his mother’s murder. It helped.



However, soon it became apparent the long-term trauma caused by the murder was having a dramatic effect on his life, relationships and ability to move forward. He then found a homicide support group in Edmonton, which made a big difference. When he moved back to BC he became determined to start up Vancouver’s first homicide support group.



Partnering up with Jo-Ann Turner-Crean and the BC Bereavement Helpline (BCBH) proved to be just the answer to achieve this dream. The BCBH has a 25 year history of providing bereavement support services and is the leading organization in the filed of bereavement in BC.

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With BCBH help, Christopher created the BC Victims of Homicide and with the support of government and local funders and many volunteers they provide critical services to homicide survivors in their journey through the aftermath of murder.