The women had never met. They came from different worlds. But they reached for each other without hesitation.

It was a bond forged in tragedy: Both lost teenage sons to violence. They’re both awaiting closure as the cases remain unsolved.

During a ceremony Thursday at the Massachusetts State House where advocates and elected officials spoke about the impact of homicide , the two mothers quietly embraced, squeezing each other tightly.

The ceremony marked the start of Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month, an annual nationwide effort to educate the public, appeal to policymakers and empower grieving families. It lasts from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20. Advocates said it’s held around the holidays because this can be an especially difficult time for families.

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