Homicides between heterosexual intimates: Criminological and victimological characteristics

Abstract

In this paper the problem of homicidal violence between heterosexual intimates is analyzed, and the need for its treatment as a specific criminological issue denoted, having in mind many of its distinctive etiological and victimological dimensions. The presented findings of an empirical research on intimate homicides committed in Belgrade from 1985 to 1993 allowed for a testing of some hypotheses related to the factors of homicidal criminalization and victimization within the context of the intimate heterosexual relationships. The evidence on history and dynamics of deeply disturbed intimate relations, as well as some typical characteristics of male intimate partners in violent heterosexual relationships, are particularly considered. On the bases of research findings, it seems possible that the plausible preventive strategies can be developed

Violence against women in the family

“…Biljana Simeunović-Patić conducted a research on the homicide of heterosexual partners, analyzing the court records of the District Court and municipal courts in the territory of the city of Belgrade for the period 1985-1993(Simeunović-Patić, 2002. The results of the research showed that, in the observed period, 13 men and 78 women were killed, and that the abuser in both cases was an intimate partner or a spouse.…”

“…From the above examples, we can see that domestic research predominantly deals with physical violence against women, while forms of psychological violence are incidentally included in several surveys. Physical violence is the most extreme type of violence and can often have a fatal outcome (Lee, Thompson & Mechanic, 2002;Simeunović-Patić, 2002); however, there is lack of research on the psychological, emotional and economic violence in professional literature. These types of violence can also leave harmful effects on the psychological health of victims (Coker et al, 2002;Devries et al, 2011).…”

“…Из наведених примера можемо видети да се домаћа истраживања претежно баве физичким насиљем над женама, док су облици психичког насиља споредно обухваћени у неколико истраживања. Физичко насиље јесте најекстремнији вид насиља и често може имати смртни исход (Lee, Thompson & Mechanic, 2002;Simeunović-Patić, 2002), међутим, у стручној литератури недостају истраживања која се баве психичким, емотивним и економским насиљем. Ове врсте насиља, такође, могу оставити штетне последице на психичко здравље жртава (Coker et al, 2002;Devries et al, 2011).…”