NCJ Number
238103
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2012 Pages: 71-74
Date Published
January 2012
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study examined the lack of information regarding factors that increase a child's risk of being a witness to or even a victim of domestic homicide.
Abstract
This study examined reports from 16 U.S. domestic violence death review committees (DVDRCs) and 1 Canadian DVDRC detailing incidents of domestic homicide. The reports were coded for the following: the total number of domestic homicide incidents, the total number of children killed in the context of domestic violence, the total number of children present and witness to the domestic homicide, and the total number of children that lost a parent or parents to domestic homicide. The analysis indicates that many children are exposed to and thus affected by domestic homicide either as witnesses or actual victims. Lacking from the reports were any indications of risk factors that could possibly increase the risk of lethality within the domestic violence situations. Identifying these risk factors is important in assisting professionals in identifying the risk of lethality for children and adults in domestic violence situations. Implications for future research are discussed. Table and references