Homicide Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women Abused by Their Partners: Who Leaves the Perpetrator and Who Stays?

• NCJ Number: 205971
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 10 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2004 Pages: 498-513
• Author(s): Michele R. Decker; Sandra L. Martin; Kathryn E. Moracco
• Editor(s): Claire M. Renzetti
• Date Published: May 2004
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): 5 R29 MH56540-03
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the risk of intimate partner homicide for women both before and after pregnancy and whether the women who left abusive relationships during pregnancy differed from the women who stayed in abusive relationships during pregnancy.

Abstract

Women can become victims of violence during pregnancy. Research estimates that the prevalence of abuse during pregnancy is between 1 and 20 percent. Research also indicates that for some women, abuse or the frequency of violence increases when they become pregnant. In addition, there is evidence, through research, that women who are abused during pregnancy may sustain injuries that are more severe and numerous, leading to possible death. Research is necessary in the examination of women’s risk for becoming homicide victims during pregnancy. Utilizing the Danger Assessment Instrument, risk of homicide was examined for 2 time periods; pregnancy and the year before pregnancy among 53 pregnant women who were screened positive for partner violence during pregnancy and were seeking prenatal care. Study results indicate that many of the abused women studied reported being in relationships during the year before becoming pregnant that were characterized by various risk factors that have been associated with partner homicide, with the most common being that their partner used drugs, was violently jealous, and was violent with others. Almost half of the abused women left their partners after they became pregnant. The potential change in homicide risk factors before and during pregnancy, among the women who remained with their abusive partners during pregnancy was that only one risk factor changed significantly when the women became pregnant; the abusive partner became less likely to be violent with others. The findings suggest that the abusers may have perceived/used the pregnancy as a visible indication that they controlled their female partner, thereby not feeling as much need to display violence toward others. The findings add to the understanding of the important issue of violence that occurs around the time of pregnancy. Study limitations and recommendations for future research are presented. References