Pregnancy may be a period of protection from battering by an intimate partner for some women. For other women, it may be a period of increased risk for battering. Some studies suggest that when the current intimate partner is not the father of the unborn baby or the biological father for her children she may be at increased risk for battering and femicide. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the relationship of paternity to battering and femicide among pregnant women and women who are also mothers. In a multi-city study of 381 women, 240 were victims of femicide and 141 were surivors of a near fatal attempt on their life by an intimate partner. Twenty nine percent (29%)had children residing with them at the time of the incident.Data shows that the children were often a source of fear and tension for the women. For example, women feared partners would take children (21%) or partners used children to threaten women (12%). Findings are discussed in light of paternity and dangerousness and lethality of violent intiamte relatiosnhips for pregnant women and mothers.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation participants will be able to: 1. Describe pregnant women's risks for battering and femicide when current intimate partner is not the father of the baby. 2. Describe a mother's risks for battering and femicide when current intimate partner is not the father of her children. 3. Discuss a mother's risk for battering and femicide when her children reside with her in her residence
Keywords: Battered Women, Family Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.