Explainer: What are Femicide Reviews?

What are Femicide Reviews?
Femicide Reviews go beyond the prosecution of the killing. These reviews, which typically happen during or after a criminal case, entail an in-depth examination of all factors related to the killing, including previous interactions between victims/perpetrators and governmental and non-governmental agencies. They are carried out by a team of stakeholders from sectors like law enforcement, health care, child welfare and gender-based violence (GBV) services, often with the participation of families and social networks.

“The idea with a Femicide Review is to go beyond the decision of individual responsibility and look at the level of social responsibility,” says Patsilí Toledo, lead author of UNODC’s Background paper on Femicide Review Committees. “What were the unseen issues before this crime happened? What were the missed opportunities in contacting the victim or perpetrator? How can the responses by services – in the justice, social and healthcare sectors – be improved?”

The ultimate aim of the review is to identify issues and recommend changes to prevent future killings. Link to full story here.