Research will strengthen support for children after fatal domestic violence

Every year, between 20 and 30 children in Sweden lose a parent due to fatal violence within a close relationship – a tragedy that impacts both families and society at large. Despite the far-reaching effects, there is limited research on how these children are affected in the short and long term. A new research project, funded by the Swedish Crime Victim Authority, now aims to help fill this gap in knowledge.

Through interviews with adults who, as children, lost a parent to fatal domestic violence, the researchers hope to capture experiences that rarely reach the public eye. The study explores the specific challenges that arise when a parent is killed by a family member, as well as what support the children received – or wished they had received – both in the immediate aftermath and later in life.

“We are still lacking important knowledge on how we as a society can meet the needs of these children. By listening to their stories, we hope to contribute to the development of more effective support measures,” says Mikael Skillmark, Associate Professor of Social Work at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University.

Providing knowledge that can be put into practice

The project focuses particularly on how interviewees describe their experiences of, for example, housing interventions, psychosocial support, and other forms of assistance they themselves identified as significant. The aim is to produce knowledge that can be translated into practical work within municipalities, social services, schools, and other organisations that encounter children in similar situations.

With the study’s findings, the researchers hope to strengthen the ability of the relevant public services to identify children’s needs at an early stage and ensure that every affected child receives the help and security to which they are entitled.

“This is a group that has been identified as forgotten victims when it comes to fatal violence. Knowledge of their experiences is lacking, even though it is crucial for improving the way the welfare system functions,” says Mikael Skillmark.

The project runs for three years, is funded with a total of SEK 2.4 million from the Crime Victim Fund and is a collaboration between Jönköping University and Kristianstad University. The project leader is Johanna Thulin, Senior Lecturer in Health Sciences at Kristianstad University.

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