International Trends and Patterns in Filicide

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Filicide is the killing of one’s own child and it is quite rare in Western societies. However, child homicide, which includes filicide, is considered to be an under-reported crime, particularly among infant victims, and has received little attention internationally. Further, few studies have examined trends and patterns in filicide at the national level over a significant period of time. This session highlights research that examines factors associated with filicide cases, including the characteristics of the victim and the accused, in Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States. Implications for practice and future research will be identified.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. Comparative and Historical Perspectives / 50. International and Cross-National Comparisons

Individual Presentations

• Filicide in Australia: Questions, answers and more questions - Thea Brown, Monash University; Danielle Tyson, Monash University; Paula Fernandez Arias, Monash University

• Filicide in Canada: Examining patterns over time and geography - Myrna Dawson, University of Guelph; Tina Hotton, University of Guelph

• Homicide of children in Germany – Results of a national study - Theresia Hoynck, University of Kassel; Ulrike Zahringer, Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony

• When Parents Kill: Structural Correlates of Filicides in the U.S. - Sheryl Van Horne, Arcadia University

Chair

• Wendy Regoeczi, Cleveland State University