Why Do Some Men Commit Murder Suicide?
Thankfully, domestic violence-related murder suicides are rare. Unfortunately, other forms of domestic violence occur far more frequently. A survey found that 1 in 10 Oregon women had been physically or sexually assaulted by an intimate partner in the last 5 years. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) recently hosted a forum of experts who discussed risk factors that may predict more serious violence in domestic violence cases.
In almost all domestic violence murder suicides, the offender is a white man. Common characteristics of murder suicides include:
- Prior history of domestic violence. The time immediately after the woman leaves is the most dangerous.
- Access to a gun. States with less restrictive gun control laws have as much as eight times the rate of murder-suicides as those with the most restrictive gun control laws.
- Threats, especially increased threats with increased specificity
- Prior history of poor mental health or substance abuse, especially alcohol
Unemployment was a risk factor for murder-suicide, but only when combined with a history of domestic violence. In other words, it was not a risk factor in and of itself but was something that escalated the violence following previous abuse.
If you are being abused by your partner, you are not alone. Help may be available. Even if shelter is not available immediately, a trained advocate can help you develop a safety plan. Call 1.800.799.SAFE 24/7 to talk with an expert advocate.
