Date of Award
2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Education
Program
Education
Supervisor
Dr. Peter Jaffe
Abstract
Domestic homicide is among the most preventable homicides because of the number of known risk factors that include a history of domestic violence (DV). Extreme cases of domestic violence can also place children at risk for becoming victims of domestic homicide. Using a retrospective case analysis of 84 domestic homicide cases, this study identified the unique factors that place a child at risk for homicide. All DV cases were divided into three groups reflecting no child involvement, child homicide/attempted homicide, and no child homicide/attempted homicide. Comparisons using the three groups explored potential differences in background and known risk factors. A further analysis compared 12 cases matched on multiple variables reflecting child and adult homicides. Overall, the child homicides did not differ from other cases except for the following factors: perpetrator substance use at the time of the incident, the length of the relationship between the perpetrator and female intimate partner, forced sexual acts and/or assaults during sex, abuse of the female intimate partner in public, number of agencies involved, number of children the perpetrator had with another partner(s), and Child Protection Services involvement with the family and/or awareness of domestic violence in the home. The implications of this study reflect community professionals need to assess for risk for children in all cases of domestic violence.
Recommended Citation
Hamilton, Leslie Hazel Anne, "INVESTIGATING FACTORS PLACING CHILDREN AT RISK FOR HOMICIDE IN THE CONTEXT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE" (2011). Digitized Theses. 3425.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3425