In circumstances where a death has been sudden and violent, feelings of grief may be experienced by children and young people more intensely. While this experience of grieving will be unique to everyone, below are some common responses for those who have been bereaved by murder or manslaughter:

• Disbelief and numbness: Death that is unexpected and violent will come as a shock so it may take a child or young person a long time to process and accept it as being real. 

• Guilt: Following a death by murder or manslaughter it is common for family and friends to wonder whether they could have said or done anything differently that might have prevented their loved ones death. 

• Fear: Knowing a loved one has died by murder or manslaughter can make children or young people scared about leaving the house or doing normal activities. These feelings may be particularly noticeable if the perpetrator has not yet been identified or found. 

You can help children and young people through this difficult time by: