Intimate partner femicide: Risk factors and the heterogeneity of male-perpetrated IPF in Queensland

Abstract

Intimate partner femicide (IPF), the murder of women by current or previous partners, is a global epidemic. This thesis examined 100 cases of male perpetrated IPF in Queensland to explore the characteristics of IPF and use them to create a typology of perpetration. Using coronial data, this mixed methods research unpacked the frequency of risk factors and highlighted themes of violence within the narratives of IPF cases. By exploring the commonalities and differences in IPF perpetration, this research provides weight to existing research and offers unique findings that have implications on future research, policy, and practice.

Continuing Coercive Control After Intimate Partner Femicide: The Role of Detection Avoidance and Concealment

“…A concealed IPF allows an offender to punish, control, and remain unaccountable -making it an attractive option for some. Such domination over what's left of the relationship also explains the high levels of DA seen in IPF cases compared to other types of homicides (Eke, 2007;McLachlan, 2023), assuming most murderers want to avoid prosecution. Unlike other offenders, IPF concealers appear to be expert abusers who are highly motivated to regain control, goal-directed in their behavior and persistent.…”

“…Feminist research has consistently demonstrated a strong association between intimate partner femicide (IPF) and coercive and controlling behaviors by perpetrators (Johnson et al, 2019;Monckton Smith et al, 2017;Stark, 2009). Recently, links between IPF and offender attempts to conceal the homicide have emerged, indicating IPFs are not uncommonly masked as non-suspicious deaths such as suicides or accidents (Bitton & Dayan, 2019;Eke, 2007;Ferguson, 2021;Ferguson & Sutherland, 2018;McLachlan, 2023;Monckton Smith, 2019). Explanations for IPF offenders concealing homicides are limited and unspoken, seemingly based on assumptions of perpetrators avoiding accountability (Eke, 2007;Ferguson, 2021;Monckton Smith, 2019).…”