‘Just Say Goodbye’: Parents who kill their children in the context of separation

This Discussion Paper, ‘Just Say Goodbye’, examines the motives and background to ‘filicide’— the killing of children by a parent.

While these deaths are often described in the media as ‘inexplicable’, this new research identifies a link between the killing of children and violence against women.

The paper considers international research, Australian Institute of Criminology data and case examples of both fathers and mothers who kill their children.

This Discussion Paper is essential reading for people working in family violence and child protection, including lawyers and other professionals, and those working to prevent further deaths of children.

‘Just Say Goodbye’: Parents who kill their children in the context of separation
Discussion Paper no.8, Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria, 2012 (103pp).
By Dr Debbie Kirkwood

You can download this paper as a PDF file below or order a print copy here.