Creating Peaceful Communities.

Source: (2005) The Crime Victims Report. 8(6): 81-82, 90-92.

Enduring a violent crime in a community once viewed as a paradise gives rise to questions about the role of faith in our lives and in our communities. The September 11th tragedy demonstrated a pivotal change in how the United States addresses crime and perceives the world. We turn to our spiritual leaders looking for answers to those questions that arise after a crime has been committed. Everywhere you look is the constant reminder that our world is not as safe as we once believed. Russell and Davis in this article explore the responsibility of the community to aide the healing of the victim of violent crime. Many victims and those who serve them believe that victims do not have to forgive their offenders in order to move beyond the impact of the crime or begin to rebuild their lives after the crime. That forgiveness is simply a personal decision to absolve an action of another. Power is in the person’s ownership; and only then is forgiveness given its power to heal. Russell and Davis address the questions of faith of the victim after the crime has been committed. “What happens to faith? Where does it go? How do we get it back?”