An analysis of self-reported triggers for femicide perpetrators in three countries Restricted; Files Only
Berkowitz, Brielle (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Femicide, the gender-based killing of women, is an underreported and understudied issue. Gaps in data, particularly data on perpetrators limit the ability to understand triggers, and upstream factors behind this phenomenon in order to prevent its occurrence. The purpose of this research was to examine the life history and narratives of femicide perpetrators and identify triggers and how their connection to the act of femicide and gender roles. The qualitative data sources were derived from independent studies yet shared a similar qualitative methodological approach examining the life histories and narratives of femicide perpetrators. Sixty-one (n= 61) interviews derived from 43 men included in the pooled dataset were analyzed using MAXQDA. The data exposed a clear relationship between the perception of gender roles and femicide triggers. The two triggers were identified, Trigger 1: Perpetrators are triggered when they believe their partners violate unspoken rules in their relationship and Trigger 2: Perpetrators are triggered when they feel their sense of identity, grounded in their familiar relationships, is threatened by their partners. Notable prior lived experiences among perpetrators included divorce, adverse childhood events, and learned family dynamics including violence between intimate partners and family violence. While not indicative of causation, these factors serve as explanatory rationalizations for the perpetration of violence against women. Additional research is needed on early intervention for femicide prevention including gender norms transformation and the deconstruction of patriarchal and misogynistic attitudes.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: Literature Review: 2
Burden of Femicide 2
Demographics of Femicide Perpetration 3
Childhood and Environmental Risk Factors 3
Additional Risk Factors 4
Control & Patriarchal Values Affecting Femicide 4
Gender Norms & Femicide 5
Perpetrators’ Narratives 6
Accounts Of Violence: Justification Using Neutralization 8
Chapter 2: Methodology 10
Research Design 10
Participants and Sample 10
Instrument 10
Codebook 11
Procedures 11
Data Analysis 12
Ethical Considerations 13
Chapter 3: Results 14
Trigger 1: Perpetrators are triggered when they believe their partners violate unspoken rules in their relationship 14
Trigger 2: Perpetrators are triggered when they feel their sense of identity, grounded in their familiar relationships, is threatened by their partners. 17
Chapter 4: Discussion 20
Limitations 24
Chapter 5: Public Health Implications 26
Implications 26
Conclusion 27
References 29
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File download under embargo until 18 May 2025 | 2023-04-22 13:21:40 -0400 | File download under embargo until 18 May 2025 |
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