Citation

Wilson M, Daly M. Juristat 1994; 14(8): 1-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12295370

Abstract

This paper examines patterns in spousal homicide in Canada between 1974 and 1992. Among the findings highlighted in this paper are: spousal homicide rates have remained stable with an average of 17 victims per million couples per annum over the period 1974-92; there is a substantial variation in provincial spousal homicide rates, with the lowest rates in the Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island and the highest rates in the western provinces and territories; about 3.2 women have been killed by their husbands for each man killed by his wife; a married woman was 9 times as likely to be killed by her spouse as by a stranger over the period 1974-92; the rate of husbands killing wives is elevated in the aftermath of separation; risk of spousal homicide is greater in common-law marriages than in registered marriages for both women and men. Killings of spouses constitute a significant aspect of Canadian homicide: the 1886 women and men killed by spouses between 1974 and 1992 represent 15% of all Canadian homicide victims, 38% of adult female victims and 6% of adult male victims. This analysis highlights a number of factors associated with variations in the statistical incidence of homicide, including age and age disparity, registered vs. common-law marital status, separation vs. co-residency, and region. The relevance of a woman's youth may reflect short marital duration, childlessness, economic circumstances and, or other correlates of youth rather being an effect of youth per se.

Language: fr