Focus on children murdered by parents in Italy: A sad reality

With a documented history of over a century, it is noted that child murders, perpetrated by their own parents, are an interesting and dramatic phenomenon in the Italian territory. Tere are three forms of child homicides: neonaticide, infanticide and flicide. Tanks to several legal reports and studies, it is possible to draw the profle of the typical murderer: usually a young, Northern Italian woman, unemployed, in a conficting relationship and sufering from psychiatric disorders. In most cases, the crime takes place at home. No particular method for committing the murder is preferred, but the death of the child can be due to different causes. Precautionary measures should be taken: parents should never be lef alone facing health or psychiat-ric problems, families should be helped and supported during difcult times, women should be well-informed and aware of their rights