Season 3 Episode 10: “Slow Motion Murder:” Widening the Understanding of the Link Between Domestic Violence and Child Deaths
About This Episode
With upsetting frequency, the news will report a story of a child murdered by their mother’s partner. Sometimes this murder happens in the context of separation. Other times it is part of perpetrator’s overall pattern of violence toward multiple family members. Unfortunately, dramatic homicides only tell part of the story. There are strong correlations between domestic violence and neglect deaths. Child suicides also appear to happen in the context of domestic violence.
In this episode, Ruth and David explore the connection between domestic violence and child deaths, including:
How males are three times more likely to murder their own children
How domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities
The barriers to fully identifying pathways to child deaths in the context of domestic violence
Actions professionals can take to improve prevention efforts through identification of the risk of child death including better understanding of how perpetrators interfere with the care of children
Self-care note: The content of this episode may be very challenging for some listeners.
Additional Resources
Safe & Together Institute’s domestic abuse–informed trainings
Safe & Together Institute’s upcoming events
David Mandel’s book Stop Blaming Mothers and Ignoring Fathers: How to Transform the Way We Keep Children Safe from Domestic Violence