Family Violence: Homicide 205(Ewing, 1997). This does not mean, however, that the children were not suffering
from some sort of disorder in addition to greed.
The killing of one's entire family, though rare, is not unknown. Familicide is
most often committed by White men between the ages of 30 and 40 and almost
always ends in suicide (Ewing, 1997). Motivations for such homicides vary, but
most commonly, the killer is controlling and domineering yet is dependent upon
his family. The killer attacks when he feels that his control over his family is being
threatened or when he feels he is a failure. There have been incidences where
abusers killed members of their family so that the abusers could maintain ultimate
control over them.
Familicide, although more common among middle-aged men, has also been
committed by juveniles (Ewing, 1997). Some of the factors leading to juvenile
familicide are similar to those for the adult perpetrator. Invariably, however, it is a
reaction to abuse. Many of these juveniles have no record of a mental disorder, yet
this could be due to the fact that they are too young to be diagnosed. People familiar
with these juvenile perpetrators describe them as being disturbed and troublesome
(Ewing, 1997).
Forensic Psychology and Policy Implications
A consistent theme throughout most of the above forms of familial homicide is
the issue of abuse. For some, the killing of their abuser becomes the only means
of protection from receiving further abuse. The legal system has provided little
help for victims of abuse. Even if the victims are fortunate enough to receive legal
intervention through documentation or incarceration of the abuser, the reality is
that the system provides little to no protection once the abuser is released.
There is little that can be done to stop the obsessed abuser from continuing
to harm or eventually killing their victim. Yet, this does not mean that law en-
forcement should not treat abuse as a priority. The fact that domestic violence calls
are common should not be a justification for not responding to calls. Instead, the
increased number of domestic violence calls should indicate that a special domestic
violence unit is needed to deal with this escalating problem. With the push of spe-
cial interest groups advocating victims' rights, many police and sheriffs' departments
have organized units to specifically combat this epidemic.
Child abuse has received a great deal of public attention because society currently
views it as its responsibility to care for those who cannot care for themselves. Policies
have been established so that fewer children will have to experience abuse from
their parents. Programs exist, but they are so crowded and understaffed that too
many children are "falling through the cracks." This partially explains why many
homicides committed in this country are parricides.
Being abused should not be a justification for killing someone. Much of the
debate surrounding sentencing for these perpetrators has centered on this issue.