September 25 Marks National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

Each year across the United States, September 25 is set aside to honor murder victims and their families.

Each year across the United States, September 25 is set aside to honor murder victims and their families. In 2007, Congress officially designated this date as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, intended to “honor the memories of murder victims and recognize the impact on surviving family members.”

The impact of violent crime remains a pressing issue in Alabama. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state reported a homicide rate of 14.9 per 100,000 residents in 2022 — the fourth highest in the nation — with 709 total homicides. Birmingham, in particular, ranked sixth among U.S. cities with 192 homicides that year. Other regions of the state continue to struggle with alarmingly high murder rates as well.

Victims of Crime and Leniency and Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL) are emphasizing several key priorities as they commemorate this day of remembrance:

• Community outreach – VOCAL works to connect with crime victims and assure them that when their world feels shattered, they are not alone.

• Victim services – Despite limited resources, VOCAL strives to provide crisis intervention, counseling, victim advocacy through the criminal justice process, and assistance with compensation claims.

• Justice for victims – Many families yearn for accountability, yet often find Alabama’s sentencing laws complex and discouraging. Advocates argue that the system too often prioritizes offenders over victims, pointing out inequities such as educational opportunities for inmates, but not for children of murder victims.

• Honoring victims – Remembering the lives and legacies of those lost to violence remains a central purpose of the day.

• Advocacy – VOCAL stresses that victims’ rights must remain a priority, with survivors’ voices included in policymaking decisions.

Founded in 1982, VOCAL has spent more than 40 years supporting victims of crime across Alabama and fighting for legislative and policy changes. The organization encourages victims and surviving family members to reach out for support, information, and advocacy.

More information is available at www.VOCALonline.org