Domestic violence programs are often called upon to react swiftly and adeptly in the aftermath of a domestic violence homicide in their community. There are many competing demands that require attention - from supporting surviving family members of the homicide victim, to supporting domestic violence advocates in the program and survivors that the program is working with. Domestic violence homicides often leave a community reeling and wondering what the best course of action is. End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin created a Domestic Violence Homicide Response Plan as a resource for Wisconsin domestic violence programs to turn to as they navigate the complexities that arise in the aftermath of a domestic violence homicide. This webinar highlights the Domestic Violence Homicide Response Plan and provides suggestions for how it can be applied in practice. In particular, Jessica Honish and Courtney Olson from Rainbow House (a domestic violence program in northeast Wisconsin) share their experience navigating the unimaginable loss of their colleague to a domestic violence homicide in 2013. Jessica and Courtney provide valuable insight about ways they have transformed their loss into action within their community and beyond.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2016-TA-AX-K047 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this program are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.