Intimate Partner Homicide: New Insights for Understanding Lethality and Risks
Abstract
Research on covictims, family members, and close friends who have lost loved ones to intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a neglected area of study. We conducted phenomenological interviews with covictims to gain insights into risk and lethality, examined affidavits from criminal case files, and reviewed news releases. The data uncovered acute risk factors prior to the homicide, identified changes in the perpetrators’ behavior and the perpetrators’ perceived loss of control over the victim, and described barriers that victims faced when attempting to gain safety. Findings suggest that recognizing acute risk factors is an important area for future IPH research.
Publication Date
12-2014
Journal Title
Violence Against Women
Publisher
Sage Publications
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1177/1077801214564687
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Sheehan, B. E., Murphy, S. B., Moynihan, M. M., Dudley-Fennessey, E., & Stapleton, J. G. (2014). Intimate partner homicide: New insights for understanding lethality and risks. Violence Against Women, 21(2), 269–288. doi:10.1177/1077801214564687