Lethality Indicators
Lethality: The potential to kill or cause death
Every year approximately 4,500 women are killed by
their partners in the United States.
A woman's risk of being murdered by her partner is
greater than by a stranger.
While it is true that all batterers are dangerous,
some are more likely to kill than others, and some are
more likely to kill at specific times. Below we have
some lethality prediction factors for you to consider.
We believe the likelihood of homicide is greater when
these factors are present. The greater the number of
indicators that the batterer demonstrates or the "greater
the intensity" of indicators, the greater the likelihood
of a life-threatening attack. Please remember that it
is very possible a batterer may be lethal without demonstrating
any of these indicators.
"Ownership" of the battered partner.
The batterer who says "Death before divorce!"
or "You belong to me and will never belong to another!"
or "If I can’t have you nobody will!"
may be stating his fundamental belief that you have
no right to life separate from him. A batterer who believes
he is absolutely entitled to a woman’s services,
obedience and loyalty, no matter what, may be life-endangering.
Centrality of the partner.
A man who idolizes his partner, or who depends heavily
on her to organize and sustain his life, or who has
isolated himself from all other community, may retaliate
against a partner who decides to end the relationship.
He rationalizes that her "betrayal" justifies
his lethal "retaliation".
Depression.
Where a batterer has been acutely depressed and sees
little hope for moving beyond the depression, he may
be a candidate for homicide and suicide. Research shows
that many men who are hospitalized for depression have
homicidal fantasies directed at family members.
Repeated intervention by law enforcement.
Partner or spousal homicide almost always occurs in
a context of historical violence. Prior intervention
by to the police indicate elevated risk of life-threatening
conduct.
Escalation of risk taking.
A less obvious indicator of increasing danger may
be the sharp escalation of personal risk undertaken
by a batterer; when a batterer begins to act without
regard to the legal or social consequences that previously
constrained his violence, the chances of lethal assault
increase significantly.
Threats of homicide or suicide.
The batterer who has threatened to kill his (ex)partner,
himself, the children or her relatives must be considered
extremely dangerous.
Fantasies of homicide or suicide.
The more the batterer has developed a fantasy about
who, how, when and/or where to kill, the more dangerous
he may be. The batterer who has previously acted out
part of a homicide or suicide fantasy may be invested
in killing as a "solution to his problems".
Weapons.
When a batterer possesses, collects, or is obsessed
with weapons and/or has used them or has threatened
to use them in the past in his assaults on women, the
children or himself, increases his potential for lethal
assault. If a batterer has a history of arson or the
threat of arson, fire should be considered a weapon.
Timing.
When a batterer believes that he is about to lose
his (ex)partner or when he concludes that she is permanently
leaving him; if he cannot envision life without her,
this may be when he chooses to kill. That is not to
say that all batterers kill when they conclude that
the battered woman is separating from him. Some kill
long before they have any idea that the battered woman
may be thinking about leaving. So, it is not safe to
assume that because she hasn't made plans to leave,
that the batterer will not be dangerous. In one study
of spousal homicide, over half the men were separated
from their victims when they murdered them (Bernard
et al, 1982). Women are most likely to be murdered when
attempting to report abuse or to leave an abusive relationship
(Sonkin et al, 1985; Browne, 1987).
History of antisocial behavior.
A batterer who has demonstrated aggressive behavior
to the general public such as bar fights, gang related
violence, job related violence, vandalism, repeated
unlawful behavior, or illegal occupation is likely to
be more dangerous.
Hostage-taking.
A hostage-taker is at high risk of inflicting homicide.
Between 75% and 90% of all hostage takings in the United
States are related to domestic violence situations.
Drugs and Alcohol.
Men with a history of problems with drugs and/or alcohol
show a higher risk. In addition, regardless of their
drug and/or alcohol history, intoxication at the time
of assault shows significant risk to partners.
Violence in his family of origin.
The more severe the violence either experienced personally,
or observed, in the family of origin, the more the risk.
Cruelty to animals.
Many battered women have testified to their experience
with batterers who neglect or abuse pets, farm animals
or wild animals, or force them or their children to
do so. Consider this as a risk factor.
This information was gathered primarily from Barbara
Hart and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic
Violence.
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