Femicide is gender-related killing: being a woman and gender inequality and/or attitudes play a role. In most cases of femicide, there is a personal relationship between the perpetrator and the victim, such as a (former) partner or family member. From 2018 to 2022, 172 (out of 217) women were killed by someone in the domestic circle, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). That's nearly 80%. The figures are shocking: every eight days a woman becomes a victim of femicide. This makes the Netherlands the country with the highest rates in Western Europe.
Femicide is often predictable and nevertheless just as often not prevented. There is usually a pattern of coercive control prior to the killing of a woman.
Scientist Jane Monckton Smith has outlined eight stages related to femicide.
Phase 1: Relationship history: often the first signs are already visible during a first date, for example by statements such as ‘my ex was disturbed.
Phase 2: moving too fast, such as wanting to live together very quickly.
Phase 3: control: rules are imposed by the man and if they are broken, a consequence follows.
Phase 4: an intense event, such as a relationship breakup. This is often the tipping point.
Phase 5: escalation: an attempt is sometimes made through escalation to return to stage 3, thus resuming the relationship.
Phase 6: thinking about murder: when a man feels so rejected and/or humiliated by the ending of the relationship, plans to kill a woman begin to emerge.
Phase 7: Assassination plans: concrete plans are being made.
Phase 8: murder and suicide. This stage may follow immediately after Stage 7 or there may be time in between. Not only is the woman at risk, but also the children if there are any.
Thus, there are several phases preceding the moment when a woman is killed, which would allow intervention by aid agencies. Nevertheless, agencies still often pay insufficient attention to the signs and many divorces or relationship breakdowns are often still wrongly labeled as fighting divorce.
As a victim advocate, I regularly assist women who are victims of severe domestic and honor-based violence and also relatives of women who were victims of femicide. In my opinion, earlier intervention is needed by government agencies to protect women from abuse and murder. I find that it is not an easy task for women to be seen by the police as victims of coercive control - I can help with that.
If you have questions about this blog, please contact the author, Nicole Hoogenboom