Intimate partner femicide–suicides in Ghana: Victims, offenders, and incident characteristics
Study
Africa
Extant studies demonstrate that homicide–suicides occur primarily in intimate partner relationships and are overwhelmingly perpetrated by husbands, boyfriends, or former lovers against female partners (Adler, 1999; Banks et al., 2008; Dawson, 2005; M. Liem, 2010; Lund & Smorodinsky, 2001; Morton et al., 1998). According to existing research, women rarely take their own lives after murdering their spouses or lovers (Adler, 1999; Dawson, 2005; Lund & Smorodinsky, 2001). Regarding the scope and prevalence of IPFS, Mathews and associates (2008) reported that 18% to 40% of femicides that occur internationally are followed by perpetrator suicide.