VOICES/Kanishka Research Project

Voices of September 11th recently completed a research project entitled, "Investigating the Long-Term Impact of Bereavement due to Terrorism: Factors that Contribute to Trauma, Grief, Growth and Resilience." The project was conducted in partnership with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University and the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime.

Completed with support from a grant by Public Safety Canada's Kanishka Project Contribution Program, the research project involves family members of the 2,977 individuals lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA on September 11, 2001 as well as the family members of the 329 individuals lost in the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182 that crashed off the coast of Ireland, the majority of whom were Canadian. Both attacks remain the worst acts of terrorism in the history of their respective countries. The study will identify the long-term needs of individuals impacted by terrorism.

The knowledge gained from their responses will help expand the scientific advancement of research in the field, guide communities in providing services to victims' families, and help individuals heal after traumatic events.

Since 1993, the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (CRCVC) has been a leader in advocacy for victims and survivors of serious crime in Canada. The CRCVC is a federal Not-for-Profit Corporation located in Ottawa, Ontario and bilingual services are available. All services are free of charge and confidential.

Victims of crime should be treated with courtesy, compassion and with respect for their dignity and privacy. The CRCVC offers assistance and advocacy regardless of whether the perpetrator of the crime has been identified, apprehended, prosecuted or convicted. The Centre believes victims must be empowered to regain control of their lives.

For more information, please visit the Canadian Resource Center for Victims of Crime's website.

In partnership with Voices of September 11th, the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) will conduct the research for the Kanishka project, with Stephen J. Cozza, M. D. serving as the Principal Investigator.

The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress is one of the nation's oldest and most highly regarded, academic-based organizations dedicated to advancing trauma-informed knowledge, leadership and methodologies. The Center's work addresses a wide scope of trauma exposure from the consequences of combat, operations other than war, terrorism, natural and human made disasters, and public health threats. CSTS is a part of our nation's federal medical school, Uniformed Services University (USU), and its Department of Psychiatry. These affiliations represent the Center's history, mission and future directions as a major contributor to our country's understanding of the impact of trauma and the advancement of trauma-informed care.

Visit ResearchGate for a list of Dr. Cozza's publications.

For more information, please visit the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress's website.

Since 2001, VOICES has provided a wide range of support services including assessments, referrals for mental health care, peer-to-peer support groups, workshops and annual conferences.

VOICES helps responders and survivors enroll in the World Trade Center Health Program that is providing medical and mental health treatment for conditions they sustained due to their exposure to toxins in the aftermath of 9/11. We are also assisting the 2,6500 families of the responders and survivors who have died of illnesses post-9/11.

With the rise in acts of terrorism and mass violence, VOICES Center of Excellence for Community Resilience assists individuals and organizations responding to other tragedies. Through our public-private partnerships we provide leadership and best practices for assisting victims’ families and survivors to promote healing and resilience in their lives.

For more information, please visit the VOICES homepage.