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<p>Filicide–the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver–is a persistent global problem, yet prevention efforts remain constrained by a limited understanding of perpetrator perspectives. South Africa’s child murder rate is among the highest globally, yet filicide research in the country is sparse, and perpetrator accounts are particularly underrepresented. This qualitative study explores retrospective missed opportunities for filicide prevention as identified by incarcerated maternal filicide offenders. Using purposive sampling, 17 female participants were recruited from five correctional facilities across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Western Cape provinces. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analysed thematically. Findings were interpreted through the dual theoretical lenses of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Stark’s coercive control theory. Two overarching themes emerged: individual-level missed opportunities and challenges in intimate partner relationships. At the individual level, participants identified the minimization of mental illness symptoms, unmanaged anger, non-utilization of available resources, social withdrawal, and alcohol and substance misuse as critical intervention points. At the relational level, the normalization of chronic intimate partner violence, coercive control, retaliatory motives, and financial and physical abandonment by partners created conditions that formal and informal support systems failed to detect or disrupt. Together, these findings reveal a systemic deprivation of maternal agency across multiple ecological layers. The study concludes with four prevention recommendations targeting healthcare follow-up protocols, traditional healer partnerships, community psychoeducation, and the need to strengthen the implementation and accessibility of domestic violence legislation in South Africa.</p>

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Incarcerated South African mothers’ retrospective insights on the prevention of filicide

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月1日

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  • Sifiso Shabangu,
  • Melanie Moen

摘要

Filicide–the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver–is a persistent global problem, yet prevention efforts remain constrained by a limited understanding of perpetrator perspectives. South Africa’s child murder rate is among the highest globally, yet filicide research in the country is sparse, and perpetrator accounts are particularly underrepresented. This qualitative study explores retrospective missed opportunities for filicide prevention as identified by incarcerated maternal filicide offenders. Using purposive sampling, 17 female participants were recruited from five correctional facilities across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Western Cape provinces. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analysed thematically. Findings were interpreted through the dual theoretical lenses of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Stark’s coercive control theory. Two overarching themes emerged: individual-level missed opportunities and challenges in intimate partner relationships. At the individual level, participants identified the minimization of mental illness symptoms, unmanaged anger, non-utilization of available resources, social withdrawal, and alcohol and substance misuse as critical intervention points. At the relational level, the normalization of chronic intimate partner violence, coercive control, retaliatory motives, and financial and physical abandonment by partners created conditions that formal and informal support systems failed to detect or disrupt. Together, these findings reveal a systemic deprivation of maternal agency across multiple ecological layers. The study concludes with four prevention recommendations targeting healthcare follow-up protocols, traditional healer partnerships, community psychoeducation, and the need to strengthen the implementation and accessibility of domestic violence legislation in South Africa.