New report profiles victims and suspects in family killings during Covid
Harriet Ernstsons-Evans • September 7, 2021
*Trigger warning: this blog looks in-depth at a report covering adult family homicide cases, including profiles of victims and suspects, and risk factors. Please don’t read this blog if you feel you may be distressed by its contents*
Deaths resulting from domestic abuse of all kinds have been tracked for a year during the pandemic as part of a special report.
5. Suspect was known to misuse drugs (20% of all cases) - again this was more common for adult family homicide cases.
The study was led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council
and the College of Policing
in association with the
Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme, and includes those who died as a direct result of domestic abuse or by suicide as a consequence of the abuse.
One of the categories of death which the report considers in detail is adult family homicide – which accounted for 18% of all of the cases which were looked at by the experts (intimate partner homicides accounted for 49%, suspected victim suicide 18%, child death 12% and other 3%).
There are a number of differences highlighted between the profiles of both victims and suspects in adult family homicides (which includes where the victim is the parent, grandparent, sibling or other relation of the suspect) which will hopefully support police and other organisations responsible for prevention, intervention, and prosecution where necessary.
These differences include:
- Half of victims of adult family homicide were male, compared to only 15% of intimate partner homicide victims.
- Victims are likely to be older when killed by a family member – 43% were aged over 65 (that age category accounted for only 18% of all cases).
- Where the ethnicity of the victim was known, 24% overall were from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Groups compared to 30% of adult family homicide victims.
- Suspects were likely to be younger in adult family homicide cases – 60% were aged 16 to 34.
- At the time the cases were reviewed for the report, 63% of suspects had been charged (the overall charge rate was 43%).
The experts concluded the likely profile of a suspect in these types of cases was an adult male killing a parent, grandparent or sibling.
There are, of course, many risk factors when it comes to domestic abuse deaths – and there are many complications when considering what makes a person likely to commit this type of crime.
However, the five most prevalent risk factors across all the cases researched for the report were:
1. The suspect had been previously been abusive (44% of all cases) – this was more likely in an adult family homicide where many were known to police for family abuse and/or intimate partner abuse.
2. The suspect had a mental health condition (36% of all cases) – again this was more prevalent for adult family homicide where many suspects were known to mental health services or had previously been an inpatient at a mental health facility.
3. They had previously displayed controlling or coercive behaviour to the victim (28% of all cases).
4. Suspect was known to misuse alcohol (23% of all cases).
5. Suspect was known to misuse drugs (20% of all cases) - again this was more common for adult family homicide cases.
While the report suggests current tools such as DASH and DARA which are used to identify risks do not need to be replaced, it does highlight the need for a review to see if they are fit for purpose when it comes to adult family abuse.
Click here
to see the full report.
Child to Parent Abuse organisation founder awarded MBE The founder of a social enterprise which has supported thousands of parents impacted by abusive behaviours from their children has been awarded an MBE. Michelle John, originally from Pembrokeshire in Wales but now based in Shropshire, was among the names announced for the prestigious accolade in the King’s Birthday Honours List this year. In 2020, Michelle set up not-for-profit organisation PEGS with the aim of supporting parents and carers, training professionals, influencing local and national policy, and raising awareness of Child to Parent Abuse – which is thought to affect up to one in ten households in the UK. Since then, she has grown a team of experts who have trained police, social workers, teachers and many other professionals to better recognise the signs of CPA, support parents, and signpost to specialist organisations. In addition, Michelle set up a range of parent-focused initiatives including daily practitioner-led online sessions, a Facebook peer support group which now has 3,300 members, and one-to-one offerings for those at highest risk. PEGS launched a CPA Covenant for employers in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, only the fourth such covenant to be backed by the Government, and Michelle has advised everyone from the Home Office to Channel 4 and the BBC on CPA – the latter for storyline on Hollyoaks and EastEnders. Her work has seen CPA covered by journalists across television news programmes, national newspapers and magazine, and regional press and radio, and she’s received numerous awards both in the UK and internationally. Michelle, whose MBE was awarded for Family Support and Advocacy, said: “This honour is also shared with the parents who have trusted me along the way: they drive me, inspire me and I will always stand with them. “I feel proud, privileged and very grateful – and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me and PEGS along the way. There is much more to come for PEGS, and we will continue to work every day for the parents and carers who have been or continue to be impacted by CPA. “There is so much to reflect on from the journey of the last six years, and there have been many highlights and challenges along the way. I am sure there will be many more in the future – although being told I’d received an MBE will always remain a truly incredible moment that I’ll remember forever!” For more information about us, visit www.pegsupport.co.uk or search for 'PEGS' on social media!
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