Filicide (child homicide by parents) in Hong Kong

Filicide refers to an act in which a parent or stepparent kills a child. This retrospective study provides the first comprehensive analysis of filicides in Hong Kong over a 15-year period.

The study explored the local epidemiology, differences between maternal and paternal filicides, associated mental illnesses, and the criminal responsibility of the perpetrators.

Among 81 filicide cases (43 female victims, 37 male victims, and 1 victim of unknown gender), the incidence rate was 0.7 per 100 000 population. Mothers were responsible for two-thirds (66.7%) of the cases, fathers for 19.8%, and the remainder involved both parents. Victims aged <1 year (n=44) were nearly equal in number to those aged between 1 and 17 years (n=41). Mental illness was diagnosed in 31.0% of the perpetrators, predominantly depression and psychotic disorders. Paternal perpetrators exhibited a higher prevalence of mental illness and were more frequently involved in filicide-suicides. One-third (33%) of perpetrators with mental illness invoked the psychiatric defence of diminished responsibility, resulting in Hospital Order sentencing. Reduced culpability due to mental illness and the application of infanticide provisions provided legal protections for mothers who killed their children aged <1 year.

Understanding the local epidemiology of filicide and the mental health conditions of perpetrators may help identify at-risk populations and develop effective intervention strategies.