Translating and understanding cases where women kill following domestic abuse

2021-present 

Researcher: Rachel McPherson

Other research staff: Clare Marsh

This project is funded by an award from the Royal Society of Edinburgh

The project is looking at Scottish cases involving women who kill their abusers - the most common context in which women kill. Specifically, it will examine how such cases are communicated to, and understood by, the public. This study will analyse existing media reports which have discussed cases of this type and a survey of public attitudes will be undertaken. No study of this type has been undertaken in the UK and it is hoped that the results will inform current and future discussions about legal responses to domestic abuse and the use of criminal defences for women who kill following domestic abuse.