Season 3 Episode 10: “Slow Motion Murder:” Widening the understanding of the link between domestic violence and child deaths

Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Reymundo Mandel

Send us a text

With upsetting frequency, the news will report a story of a child murdered by their mother’s partner. Sometimes this murder happens in the context of separation. Other times it is part of perpetrators' overall pattern of violence toward multiple family members. Unfortunately, dramatic homicides only tell part of the story. There are strong correlations between domestic violence and neglect deaths. Child suicides also appear to happen in the context of domestic violence.

In this episode Ruth and David explore the connection between domestic violence and child deaths including:

• How males are three times more likely to murder their own children
• How domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities
• The barriers to fully identifying pathways to child deaths in the context of domestic violence
• Actions professionals can take to improve the prevention efforts through identification of the risk of child death including better understanding of how perpetrators interfere with the care of children

Self-care note: The content of this episode may be very challenging for some listeners.

Join us in-person or online 18-20 March 2025 for the Safe & Together Institute Coercive Control and Children Conference. The event includes a family law track featuring judicial leadership, survivors and lawyers. Whether in Australia or across the globe, you will gain 12 month access to recordings of every session. Register now!

Now available! Mapping the Perpetrator’s Pattern: A Practitioner’s Tool for Improving Assessment, Intervention, and Outcomes The web-based Perpetrator Pattern Mapping Tool is a virtual practice tool for improving assessment, intervention, and outcomes through a perpetrator pattern-based approach. The tool allows practitioners to apply the Model’s critical concepts and principles to their current case load in real

Check out David Mandel's new book "Stop Blaming Mothers and Ignoring Fathers: How to transform the way we keep children safe from domestic violence."
Visit the Safe & Together Institute website
Start taking Safe & Together Institute courses
Check out Safe & Together Institute upcoming events