Citation

Malherbe C, Häefele BW. Child Abuse Res. South Afr. 2017; 18(1): 108-119.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of this article is to give a criminological assessment of filicide in South Africa against the background of violence in the family. A literature review on the nature and extent of filicide gave an in-depth understanding of violence in the family system. Special attention is given to five filicide cases that made headlines in the South African media. The five children were murdered by either one or both parents. The article identifies potential risk factors such as unemployment, financial strain and substance abuse associated with violence in the family that supports the Social Learning and Social Disorganisation Theories. People learn to act aggressively when, as children, they model their behaviour on the violent behaviour of adults. The article concludes that all deaths from child homicide are preventable. It supports the need for a national response to reduce child homicide rates.

Language: en