Study Finds 12% of Child Firearm Homicides Related to Intimate Partner Violence

Nearly half of all homicides in children ages 17 or younger from 2003-2020 were caused by firearms, and of those, 12% were related to intimate partner violence, according to a study published in the December 2023 Pediatrics. The study, “Firearm Homicides of U.S. Children Precipitated by Intimate Partner Violence: 2003–2020,” published online Nov.  6, analyzed a total of 11,594 child homicides reported to the CDC’s National Violent Death Reporting System from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Nearly half of all child homicides (5,716) were caused by firearms over the 17-year timeframe, with 686 (12%) related to intimate partner violence.  Child firearm homicides were more likely to involve intimate partner violence when precipitated by conflict, crises, and co-occurring with the perpetrator’s suicide compared with those without these characteristics. About 86% of the children whose firearms deaths were due to intimate partner violence were described as “corollary victims,” meaning their deaths were connected to intimate partner violence between others and that the children were not the intimate partner themselves. About 14% of child firearm deaths due to intimate partner violence, however, were perpetrated by a current or former dating partner (specifically among teens 13-17 years old).  Intimate partner violence, sometimes referred to as domestic violence, is defined as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and/or psychological aggression, perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner. The study authors suggest strategies to prevent intimate partner violence that include promoting healthy relationships starting at a young age; assessing danger to children in intimate partner situations; strengthening economic supports for families; creating safe, stable and nurturing environments for children; and addressing social and structural inequities. 

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.