NCJ Number
205983
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 10 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2004 Pages: 606-625
Editor(s)
Aysan Sev'er,
Myrna Dawson,
Holly Johnson
Date Published
June 2004
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This case study examined intimate partner femicide and attempted femicide among a small sample of women in same-sex relationships.
Abstract
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs 1998 research findings indicate that femicide, the homicide of women is the leading cause of death in the United States for young African-American women aged 15 to 45 and the seventh leading cause of premature death for all women. This study explored intimate partner (IP) femicide among a small sample of women in same-sex relationships. The study had three goals: (1) call attention to this important women’s health issue; (2) expand the contextual understanding of violence in female same-sex relationships; and (3) develop a foundation of information for prevention strategies and appropriate resources to reduce the risk of serious injury and death among women in same-sex relationships. A case study approach was used in an attempt to analyze and begin to understand the variable important in this context. The case study was based on data from an 11-city case control study to identify risk factors for IP femicide and attempted femicide. Risk factor data were collected using a structured survey. The findings indicate that power and control are central to models of IP femicide and attempted femicide. Physical violence against a woman was identified as a primary risk factor for male-perpetrated IP femicide and attempted femicide. The findings indicate that the same is true for female-perpetrated IP femicide and attempted femicide. Study limitations and implications for future research, as well as study implications are presented and discussed. References