For some time, criminological investigations have noted an elevated number of women who have been victims of violence perpetrated by their partners.In Italy, a complete forensic psychiatric examination is conducted only in cases of homicide. From the cases observed, it is clear that a psychopathological perspective alone cannot explain the multiplicity of factors involved in violent behaviors toward women.Two studies conducted in Italy - the first involving all inter-family homicides (EURES, 2003-2007) and the second involving family abuse (ISTAT, 2007) - have shed light on how vast (though hidden) this phenomenon has actually become. The ISTAT conducted an anonymous questionnaire on a nationwide, representative sample of women which demonstrated that 31.9% of women had been subjected to violence, perpetrated by their partner or ex-partner, during the course of their life.Despite this fact, the number of actual formal police reports was very low (3-8%). This figure may be explained by considering the fact that these episodes were considered "true offenses" in only 18.2% of cases.By reviewing Italian homicide cases from recent years, the studies conducted by EURES show that there has been an increase in interfamily homicide cases from 20% in 2002 to 31% in 2006. In 2006, more than 50% of these homicides were committed by partners or ex-partners; most of the perpetrators (84%) were male. Furthermore, in only a small percentage of such homicides (11%) were the culprit reported to have a clear mental disorder.Therefore, it is almost certain that social and cultural aspects interact with psychopathological aspects of the criminal.
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