Comparing Child Homicide: An Examination of Characteristics by Degrees of Intimacy

Abstract

Child homicides are rare occurrences, but when they occur, they often cause significant outrage. This paper examines the role of varying degrees of intimacy between victims and perpetrators in determining characteristics in child homicide cases. Focusing on 533 cases of child homicide between 1985 and 2012 in Ontario, Canada, characteristics of intrafamilial and extrafamilial cases, biological and step/foster parents, and maternal and paternal perpetrators are compared. Results show that characteristics of the child homicide vary depending on the degree of intimacy between victims and perpetrators, including: perpetrator and victim age, weapon use, suicide following the offence, sexual violence and use of excessive force. These findings provide support for developmental victimology and a routine activities theoretical perspective. Suggestions for future research and policy implications are also discussed. Key Practitioner Messages Younger children are at a greater risk of homicide from family members, while older children are at a greater risk of homicide from individuals outside the family. Developmental victimology and routine activities theory can contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics between victims and perpetrators in child homicide. Collaboration should take place between researchers, child death review committees, mental health services, social services and policymakers to improve child homicide prevention and intervention initiatives.

A Transdisciplinary Analysis of Domestic Violence Homicides in Harris County, Texas (2016-2020)

“…Age also played a role in familial homicides, where victims were younger due to child maltreatment fatalities not related to IPV. This is consistent with findings from prior research that suggests younger children are victimized by family members at greater rates, and that younger children are especially vulnerable to homicide from abuse and neglect due to their dependency on others for care (Johnson & Dawson, 2021; Wilson et al, 2023). In a study on trends in homicide rates from 1999 to 2020, a greater proportion of homicides of children ages 6 to 10 were precipitated by IPV and family relationship problems(Wilson et al, 2023).…”

Factors Associated with Child Maltreatment Fatality among Young Children with an Open Child Protective Services Case at Death

“…Perpetrators of fatal maltreatment are predominantly unemployed or employed in low-level jobs, suffer from income inequality, housing instability and limited levels of education and are likely to have a childhood and adult history of offending (Douglas & Mohn, 2014;Johnson & Dawson, 2021). Douglas (2013) noted relatively high levels of parental mental illness, domestic violence and alcohol/substance misuse.…”