The Femicide Census is a database currently containing
information on almost 1,000 women killed by men in England and Wales since 2009. The data on all cases is not yet complete, and thus this report summarises the early findings on cases of femicide between 2009 and 2015, involving a total of 936 women. The Femicide Census was developed in partnership by Karen Ingala Smith and Women’s Aid, with support from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Deloitte LLP. Where possible, the census has captured a wide range of information about each case including: (i) the name of the woman and her killer, and their age, occupation and health status; (ii) the incident and date of the killing itself; (iii) details of the relevant police force area, the weapon and recorded motive; and (iv) other available details on children, ethnicity and country of birth. The census aims to provide a clearer picture of men’s fatal violence against women, committed by partners, ex-partners, male relatives, acquaintances, colleagues and strangers. The killing of a woman, especially in a domestic setting, is often reported as an ‘isolated incident with no further threat to the public’. Such descriptions dismiss the scale of the issue, and diminish the fact that gender-based violence is a society-wide issue. The Femicide Census collates the details of hundreds of femicides committed by men, to explore whether lessons can be learnt by viewing these cases together. The initial analysis finds that these are not isolated incidents, since too many of them followed a similar pattern of violence and were premeditated. Data analysed from the Femicide Census showed that many femicides were committed in similar settings, where similar weapons were used, and similar relationships existed between the perpetrators and victims. By highlighting the trends in cases of femicide, this report further shows that through social, institutional and state changes, instances of femicide can be reduced, if not completely prevented. (From the Executive summary). More information is available on the Women's Aid website. Subsequent reports from The Femicide Census can be found on the project's website. Record #5724