Second Victims: Aftermath of Gun Violence and Faith-Based Responses

Abstract

In the aftermath of gun violence, those impacted and left to mourn are regarded as second victims. These individuals experience and are often burdened by mental and physical sequelae while attempting to cope with the trauma. The objective of this report is to highlight the support and resources of congregational and faith-based leaders available in an urban city with a high prevalence of gun violence. We describe information and insights presented during a symposium uniting medical-religious partners to discuss actions and programs to address trauma from gun violence. Faith-based persons from various Abrahamic religions, ranging from imams to reverends to hospital-based chaplains, discussed key strategies to allocate resources to second victims. These strategies included religious rituals meant to cope with trauma, memorials, and providing insight into resiliency for difficult times. Resources were identified for both within the hospital and community. Such medical-religious resources should be considered for future interventions which aim to attenuate the consequences of gun violence for second victims.