Misogyny and Homicide of Women

Homicide is defined as the willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.” In 1971 homicide was the leading cause of death for black women from 15 to 34 years of age and the third highest cause of death for white women from 15 to 29 years of age. In 1973 statistics listed homicide as the second leading cause of death for all women from 15 to 24 years of age. Homicide must therefore be regarded as a major health problem of women, a problem that needs further study. It can be viewed as a disease of society— and it needs to be analyzed in that context so that the direction that primary prevention should take can be identified. Herjanic and Meyer state: The development of meaningful preventive measures depends on repeated epidemiological investigations to determine the changes in pattern of crime.” Homicide rates over time and associated demographical characteristics of the victim and perpetrator are