NCJ Number
200880
Date Published
June 2003
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper explores the circumstances and characteristics of family homicide in Australia.
Abstract
The authors analyzed the National Homicide Monitoring Program (NHMP) to obtain data on all types of family homicides from July 1989 to June 2002. The data revealed that during this 13-year period, 38 percent of the total 4,421 victims of homicide were killed by a family member. Approximately 129 incidents of family homicide occur each year, with 3 out of 5 family homicides occurring between intimate partners. The authors discuss their findings regarding the characteristics of intimate partner homicide, filicide (parents killing their children), parricide (children killing their parents), siblicide (homicide between siblings), and other family homicide (the killing of cousins, etc.). Over the course of the 13-year study period, there were an average 77 intimate partner homicides each year, 25 instances of filicide each year, 12 instances of parricide each year, 6 instances of siblicide each year, and 11 homicides between other types of relatives each year in Australia. Differences emerged between homicide types in terms of weapons used, gender of offenders and victims, and temporal characteristics. The authors speculate that greater access to social and economic resources may help women victims of male violence in the home. Violence against children in the home would best be addressed within the context of a broader focus on violence in the home in general. Programs that focus on appropriate parenting behavior may reduce the amount of filicide in Australia. In conclusion, the authors note that the early recognition of family violence warning signs would enable protective and supportive services to intervene before a homicide takes place. Figures, references