Mushinsky Marks ‘Survivors Of Homicide Victims Awareness Month’

From CT House Democrats

HARTFORD, CT — On Nov. 20, State Reps. Mary Mushinsky (D-Wallingford) and Mike Demicco (D-Farmington) welcomed family members of homicide victims and victim advocates to the Legislative Office Building to recognize "Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month."

In 2023, the Connecticut General Assembly passed legislation (Public Act 23-2) to designate various days, weeks, and months and make technical revisions to existing designations, including Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month, which is meant to support the family members of victims of homicide by educating and influencing the public about the impact of homicide on families and communities.

Mushinsky’s personal reason for observing this awareness month is to remember young Jessica Short of Wallingford and to help her surviving family. Jessica was 9 when she was killed at a street fair in Middletown.

The state needs to help these families who experienced homicide, as well as help prevent the next homicide, Mushinsky said.

"The ripple effect felt by families and friends is often not talked about," Mushinsky said. "There are unanswered questions, unsaid goodbyes, and a gaping wound left in the hearts of those left behind. The world moves on, but moving on for these families is not possible. The hurt remains.”

Demicco said, “I am saddened that homicide affects so many families so often across our state and nation. We must do everything we can to help survivors and to educate the public on the profound impact of violence. I am pleased to join with colleagues on this issue and will continue to support efforts for positive change.”

“This month presents a vital opportunity to educate the public and policymakers about the profound impact that murder has on families and communities while also highlighting the peace-building efforts of survivors,” said Debbie Duncan, Vice President of Survivors of Homicide, based in Wethersfield. “Holidays pose particular challenges for our families. Our members seek the company of those who are unafraid to discuss their loved ones, acknowledge their significance, and recognize the love that existed.”

Duncan added that families of the victims often have strong support in the days, weeks, and months following their loss, but that support diminishes over time.

“There is often a lack of patience for listening, a misunderstanding of survivors’ needs, and an expectation for them to ‘move on.’ But there is no closure for the families; the pain may change, but it never dissipates,” she said.

New Haven Assistant Police Chief Bertram Ettienne thought being in law enforcement, particularly as a former detective, would help him understand how surviving family members feel. But then it personally happened to him, when his sister Jeanna was shot outside a Hartford bar where a fight broke out in October 2010. Jeanna was a bystander.

“I thought I understood what it was like,” Ettienne said. “I thought I understood the pain. I was sadly mistaken. I had no clue what it was like to wake up one day and your loved one is no longer there.”

“No one wants to walk in our shoes,” said Audrey Carlson, whose daughter Elizabeth was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2002. “We are members of a club that no one wants to belong to.”

Duncan urged family and friends to check in on these survivors not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.

Representatives Mushinsky and Demicco asked attendees to think about how the state can help survivors through legislation that can be considered in the 2025 legislative session.