The life rupture of loss: How child removal intensifies domestic homicide risk

This chapter examines how the traumatising experience of child removal can increase mothers’ vulnerability to fatal domestic violence and abuse (DVA). It presents a thematic analysis of domestic homicide reviews from 2020 to 2024 and critically engages with UK literature on domestic homicide, domestic violence death reviews and child removal over the same period. Relevant literature is used to explore how current policy, practice and research understand forced child removal as a preceding factor in male perpetrated domestic homicide. The chapter concludes with research, policy and practice recommendations on how public and NGO services can better meet the needs of women who have experienced child removal and DVA, so that health and life expectancy inequalities do not persist. By critically interrogating existing evidence, the chapter identifies gaps in the current knowledge base and highlights the distinct risks, vulnerabilities and needs of DVA victims who have lost care of their children. It offers an up to date synthesis to address an urgent public health issue, aligned with recent policy debates on domestic homicide prevention and the protective measures urgently needed within adult health and social care services.