NCJ Number
144463
Date Published
1993
Length
213 pages
Annotation
This analysis of marital murders that took place in Australia over a 2-year period, 1989-90 and 1990-91, focuses on the characteristics of these crimes and on implications for prevention.
Abstract
The findings indicated that Victoria's suburban regions appeared to be the areas at highest risk of homicides between adult sexual intimates. However, no particular State, locality, or location was free from this crime. Although some hours of the day were more potentially dangerous, homicides took place at all hours. The home of the victim was the location of highest risk, but homicides also occurred outdoors, in the victim's automobile, at the victim's workplace, and elsewhere. The killings were usually perpetrated by one individual, usually a male, against one person, although children were also victims in some cases. Foreign-born people and Aborigines were overrepresented among perpetrators and victims. Findings revealed that no single cause exists for these homicides. Instead, most of the cases combine many factors. The most common theme was the previous physical and emotional violence toward the woman. Alcohol was also involved in many of the homicides. Unemployment appeared to be a separate contributing factor. Some of the homicides ended in the suicide of the offender. Findings indicated that law reforms will be effective only if implemented by criminal justice personnel. In addition, some deaths could have been averted if warning signs had been heeded. Furthermore, gun control alone will not prevent these homicides. The basic causes of violence against women must be addressed before these murders will end. Tables, figures, index, and 124 references