Homicide Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women Abused by Their Partners

Risk of homicide, measured with the Danger Assessment Instrument, was examined for two time periods (pregnancy and the year before pregnancy) among 53 abused women seeking prenatal care. Twenty-three women left their relationships after becoming pregnant; these women were at higher risk for homicide prior to pregnancy than the women who remained with their abusers. Women who stayed with their abusers experienced a lower mean number of homicide risk factors during pregnancy compared with the previous year. Pregnancy may be a somewhat protective time for some women in abusive relationships and may help to motivate those at greatest risk for homicide to leave these dangerous situations.