QCOSTARICA — This year, so far, a total of 19 femicides have been reported, according to data from the Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres (Inamu) – National Institute for Women.
The last case recorded was that of a woman who was murdered by her partner on November 4.
According to reports from the Observatory of Gender Violence against Women and Access to Justice of the Judiciary, this would be the number of femicides in the last 5 years:
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- 17 femicides in 2019
- 30 femicides in 2020
- 20 femicides in 2021
- 23 femicides in 2022
- 24 femicides in 2023
- 19 femicides in 2024 (to date)
Criminologist Kerem Brenes Arroyo explained that a femicide cannot be reduced to a single trait or behavior, since these are influenced by social, psychological and cultural factors.
However, Brenes indicated that there are some patterns or warning signs that can be taken into account, such as the following:
- Excessive jealousy and control over the partner, where they control their activities and tend to be possessive, denying the woman’s freedom.
- Devaluation of the woman, where the aggressor has a sexist vision, seeing her as an object of property or without the right to decide about her life, frequently minimizing her opinions.
- History of previous abuse and violence, where it is possible to observe that the aggressor has exercised some form of violence (psychological, physical, economic or sexual).
- History of abuse in previous relationships or a history of violence towards other people.
Difficulties in controlling their anger, and they tend to “justify” their violent acts. - Emotional manipulation.
- The aggressor may try to isolate the woman from her family or friends, seeking to make her depend exclusively on him and unable to seek help.
- The aggressor may blackmail her about what he would do to her or her loved ones if she tries to leave the relationship. Death threats.
- Personality disorders, such as narcissism or psychopathy.
- In addition, the aggressor may have grown up in a family environment where violence against women was common.
In a question-and-answer format, the criminologist explains further:
Are there changes in behavior before a femicide commits a crime?
“Yes, in many cases of femicide certain behaviors or warning signs are observed before the crime is committed, and it is important that both the victims and those close to them are alert to these changes,” she said, stressing that when these warnings arise, help should be sought as soon as possible, since prevention and intervention could prevent a femicide from being committed.
Do femicides usually involve injuries inflicted by their mom or other female relatives?
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“Yes, in some cases femicides may have unresolved wounds or traumas with their mother or with other female figures. These experiences can play an important role in their behavior towards women and the control they exercise in their relationships,” she said.
Kerem stressed that not all people with this type of experience become femicides, since it is a complex phenomenon that involves multiple factors.
What pattern is most notable in femicides?
Kerem explained that cases of femicide usually show patterns, which must be rigorously analyzed to understand and prevent:
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- Emotional bond with the victim.
- Progressive violence, where the aggressors begin with milder forms of abuse that, over time, intensify.
- Gender violence.
- Sociocultural factors.
- Dysfunctional family or transgenerational patterns.
Does it influence that the man is younger than the woman?
“There have been cases, however, there is no pattern that indicates that a man younger than the woman with whom he maintains the relationship is more likely to commit a femicide. The dynamics of power and control play an important role in abusive relationships regardless of age, so this characteristic alone is not a determining factor,” she explained.
Could depression in a man cause him to make the decision to commit the act?
In response to this question, Kerem Brenes mentioned that, although depression can be a factor that contributes to greater emotional and social vulnerability in men, it is not a direct or sufficient cause.
“It is important to understand that depression alone is not the cause of crime. However, certain signs and symptoms associated with depression may be present in aggressors and, if not managed properly, could contribute to violence, including femicide,” she explained.
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