A week to remember the dead and 'bring attention to this horrible thing called murder'

The grief for homicide victims has a terrible staying power, especially when the killings go unsolved. For one week each year, friends and families gather to publicly remember their loved ones and help each other cope during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which begins Sunday. 

Organizations and agencies throughout Southern California have scheduled events to advocate for programs, offer help and give people a chance to honor their slain dead. 

"It's one week out of a year to try to bring attention to this horrible thing called murder," said Jane Bouffard, president of the Justice for Homicide Victims Memorial, based in Cerritos. 

"It's important to bring attention to the fact that victims do have rights, and it's also a time we can all come together to support each other and talk about the new things going on."

For Lorna Hawkins, founder of the not-for-profit group Drive By Agony, it's a good time to promote her newest project — creating national legislation that provides recognition, programs and funding for people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because of childhood violence. 

Hawkins had two sons who were shot and killed in Lynwood in 1988 and 1989. Now, she said, she sees the effects on her grandsons, who grew up without their fathers, and on other children who have lost friends and family members to violence.

"There's thousands of people struggling with this," she said. "There's anger, there's deep hurt and there's people putting it in the back of their minds and then dropping out of school or drinking too much or going to jail. ... People are screaming, 'What's wrong with these people?' And I say, 'Can't you see?'"

Sharing their pain helps, said Marie Belmontez, chapter leader of the Greater Orange County Parents of Murdered Children. But one of the most important parts of this week is honoring those who died. 

"It can sound a little cliche, but most times when you hear about a murder in the news, it's always the killer's name that gets mentioned and very rarely the victim's name," Belmontez said. 

"We don't talk about killers, we talk about murder victims. We allow their families to say their names out loud, and we don't pass judgment by saying, 'Time has passed, why don't you just get over it?'  We help people through their grief journey, however long it takes, so they can move on with their lives." 

Here are a few events happening in Southern California in the coming days.

32nd Annual Justice for Homicide Victims’ Memorial for all homicide victims

When: Sunday, April 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Where: Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.

More: Speakers include Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, 29th District State Sen. Bob Huff and San Bernardino County Dist. Atty. Michael Ramos. The event also includes a presentation about Camp Good Grief, a camp for children who have lost a parent to violence. Website: Justice for  Homicide Victims.

Orange County District Attorney’s Eighth Annual Victims’ Rights Rally

When: Monday, April 11, 4 to 7 p.m. 

Where: Hall of Administration, 333 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana

More: Online registration is required to march in the rally, which is for people involved in 501(c)(3) crime victims’ groups. Register here.

San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office Third Annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Memorial 

When: Monday, April 11, 12 to 1 p.m. 

Where: San Bernardino County Government Center Rotunda, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino

More: website. 

Family and Friends of Murder Victims 17th Annual Candlelight Remembrance

When: Thursday, April 14, 6 p.m.

Where: Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center Courtyard, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga

More: website.

Justice for Murdered Children Car and Bike Show and Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

When: Saturday, April 16, 8 a.m. to noon

Where: 601 University Drive, Carson

More: $5 donation for pancake breakfast; $15 registration fee for cars and motorcycles (or $10 prior to 10 a.m.). Website: Justice for Murdered Children. 

Post Traumatic Stress March for Youth, Moreno Valley   

When: Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. 

Where: Marchers gather near Sunnymead Elementary School at Heacock and Dracaea streets, then walk south on Heacock to Alessandro Avenue, turn right, and end at Dino’s Original Burgers, 23750 Alessandro Blvd. 

More: Drive By Agony. 

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Candlelight Vigil 

When: Saturday, April 16, 5 p.m.

Where: South Temple Avenue and South Long Beach Boulevard, Compton. 

More: Sponsored by Drive By Agony, to support national legislation providing recognition, programs and funding for people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of childhood violence. Website: Drive By Agony. 

Greater Orange County Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil and Names Dedication Ceremony

When: Sunday, April 17, 6 p.m. (arrive by 5:30 for parking near the monument)

Where: Memory Garden Memorial Park, 455 West Central Ave., Brea

More: Speakers include Paul Paulsen and Anika Ortiz, family members of homicide victims, and a crime victims' advocate from the Orange County Community Services Program. The ceremony will add 10 names to the victims' monument, which presently includes the names of 520 homicide victims from around Southern California. Website.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.