Understanding Escalation Through Intimate Partner Homicide Narratives.

Kafonek, Katherine; Gray, Andrew C.; Parker, Karen F.

The study aims to expand our understanding of escalation from intimate partner violence to intimate partner homicide (IPH) by exploring the known circumstances leading up to a lethal event. The study draws on qualitative data from law enforcement reports and coroner/medical examiner reports within the National Violent Death Reporting System to identify themes preceding and surrounding IPH incidents. Findings support the utility of risk assessments in identifying escalation while illustrating the complex ways that violence between current or former intimate partners can escalate to lethality, particularly the role of separation and the use of firearms.

UNITED States; PREVENTION of homicide; PSYCHOLOGY of abused women; REPORT writing; EVALUATION; VIOLENCE; SHOOTINGS (Crime); NARRATIVES; CRIMINALS; INTIMATE partner violence; GENDER; EXPERIENCE; RISK assessment; QUALITATIVE research; CRIME victims; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; INTERPERSONAL relations; STALKING; POLICE; DEATH certificates; DIVORCE

Violence Against Women, 2022, Vol 28, Issue 15/16, p3635

1077-8012

Academic Journal

10.1177/10778012211068057