Working with mothers who commit filicide
Abstract
Whilst few neonaticide cases are reported in developed countries, the often-concealed nature of the offence and the psychological distress involved can present numerous challenges. Case studies are a frequently used methodology in this area of practice, and this chapter presents a case that we have been involved with for nearly a decade. From a trauma-informed perspective we were able to formulate how the mother’s abusive experiences contributed to her offences. This also enabled us to present a much more informed risk assessment in which ultimately her conviction was reduced from Murder to Culpable Homicide.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Homicide
Infanticide
and Child Abuse
Psychopathy
Forensic Psychiatry
Sexual Offending
Intimate Partner and Family Violence
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 293–310
- Publication date
- 9 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter