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Help-seeking process among perpetrators and co-victims of filicide

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Abstract

The present research focuses on help-seeking process among perpetrators and co-victims of filicides committed in the province of Quebec. This study draws a portrait of help-seeking behaviors among perpetrators and co-victims of a filicide and presents two clinical vignettes to illustrate the help-seeking process. The 28 cases of filicides (14 paternal and 14 maternal filicides) committed in Quebec between 2007 and 2012 were analyzed using the Grille d’analyse multidimensionnelle de l’homicide intrafamilial. One-third of filicide perpetrators consulted a professional or a support service in their lifetime. The requests for assistance tend to decrease in the year prior to the homicide. A small percentage of requests for help are observed among co-victims of filicide. The results allow to describe a complete portrait of help-seeking from perpetrators and co-victims of filicide and help raise the importance of understanding the phenomenon with a robust and responsive theoretical framework. This study highlights the relevance of developing and maintaining specific services for men and women in crisis and at risk of violent behavior. Informing and raising the awareness of the population as well as the professionals working with this clientele could be one more step towards better prevention.

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Notes

  1. Parricide is the homicide of one or both parents by a child (adult). Familicide is the homicide of the spouse or former spouse and of one or several children. Spousal homicide is the homicide in which the alleged perpetrator is the partner, whether they are married or separated to the victim (Beaupré, 2015).

  2. Infanticide is listed in the Canadian Criminal Code (Sect. 216) and involves special legal considerations. A woman who has killed a young child and who presents with psychotic symptoms or postpartum depression may be charged with infanticide instead of homicide or murder.

  3. Resnick is one of the first author to get interested by filicides and motivations of perpetrators.

  4. The Directorate of Youth Protection is a government assistance body within the Integrated Health and Social Services Centers (CISSS) and the Integrated University Health and Social Services Centers (CIUSSS). It enforces the Youth Protection Act which ensures the protection of children and youth if their safety or development is compromised.

  5. An ethics certificate (16–226-68–63-34) was obtained from the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivieres to complete this research project. We would like to warmly thank the valuable collaboration of the Coroner’s Office and the Ministry of Public Security of the Government of Quebec, without which the realization of this research would not have been possible.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Trois-Rivieres, 3351 boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Québec, G9A 5H7, Canada

    Suzanne Léveillée

  2. Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé Et de Services Sociaux de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec, 858 Terrasse Turcotte, Trois-Rivières, Québec, G9A 5C5, Canada

    Laurence Doyon

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Trois-Rivieres, 3351 boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Québec, G9A 5H7, Canada

    Carolanne Vignola-Lévesque

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  1. Suzanne Léveillée
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Correspondence to Suzanne Léveillée.

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Léveillée, S., Doyon, L. & Vignola-Lévesque, C. Help-seeking process among perpetrators and co-victims of filicide. J Fam Viol 38, 13–23 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00346-6

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