Intimate partner femicide–suicides in Ghana: Victims, offenders, and incident characteristics
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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.