Intimate Partner Violence Leading to Femicide: A Case Report

Abstract

Physical, psychological and sexual violence occurring between partners is termed intimate partner violence. It has medical, legal, social, cultural and economic adverse repercussions affecting not only the partners but also their children. It is a preventable social problem across the globe with varying prevalence. The most extreme forms result in ‘intimate partner homicide’. Several risk factors have been identified for this condition, out of which the most important one being ‘longstanding domestic violence’. When the victimized partner in intimate partner homicide is a female, the scenario is termed ‘Femicide’. This case elaborates the death of a young female with two under-aged children caused by her drug addict husband probably by exerting sustained external pressure on the neck with an iron rod.