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The Significance of Death Threats in Post-Separation Domestic Violence: Comparing Unfounded Threats to Those Leading to Homicide
Thu, September 4, 5:30 to 6:45pm, Deree | JSB Library, Floor: Main level, JSB Library Conference Room [LCR]Abstract
Preventing escalations of intimate partner violence (IPV) and homicide (IPH) is the main goal of frontline responders when working with clients who are affected by IPV. Especially in the separation phase of violent relationships, death threats are commonly used by offenders to force the separating partner back into the relationship. This study evaluates under which circumstances death threats have to be taken seriously by survivors and professionals like police and public health staff. The research was conducted as a comparative analysis of 50 judicial files of IPV- and 50 judicial files of IPH-cases from Germany from 2012 to 2022. Offender and victim characteristics, relationship variables, risk markers, death threats and characteristics of the index offense were recorded. The statistical comparison of death threats between cases with and without IPH was conducted via t-test analysis. The study revealed that neither the number nor the concreteness of expressed death threats prior to an offense did predict an (attempted) IPH. Instead, characteristics of the perpetrator (depressive symptoms, suicidal tendencies), perpetrator post-relationship situation (loss of status, loss of resources) and trigger factors (pending custody decision, ex-partner's affair with a rival) determined, if death threats predicted (attempted) IPH. Death threats are particularly frightening for their addressees. However, their predictive value for IPH prevention can only be utilized in combination with other risk factors. IPV risk assessment thus needs a comprehensive view on separation cases to prevent IPH.