Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo sobre las características de los familicidios en eSwatini
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37293/sapientiae112.08Palabras clave:
África, violencia doméstica, eSwatini, familicidio, asesinato relacionado con el géneroResumen
El familicidio, un asesinato que involucra a una pareja actual o anterior y al menos a un hijo biológico o hijastro, es un fenómeno global devastador que afecta especialmente a las comunidades por su naturaleza de género. Este estudio examinó las características de los casos de familicidio en eSwatini para identificar factores contribuyentes e informar estrategias de prevención para esta forma poco estudiada de violencia de género en el contexto africano. Se empleó un diseño retrospectivo descriptivo, utilizando análisis inductivo de contenido de 24 casos de familicidio identificados a través de archivos de periódicos nacionales y registros judiciales desde 2009 hasta junio de 2024. Los 24 casos involucraron a 59 víctimas (35 niños y 24 adultos). Los agresores masculinos representaron el 96% de los casos, con un 79% padres biológicos, con una media de 29,5 años. La mayoría de los incidentes ocurrieron en entornos domésticos con antecedentes documentados de violencia doméstica. Entre las víctimas infantiles (edad media 4,1 años), el 57% falleció, incluyendo la más joven de dos semanas. De las víctimas adultas, el 67% sobrevivió. Los factores clave que contribuyeron incluyeron una mujer que intentó terminar la relación (38% de los casos), sospecha de infidelidad (21%), negativa a reconciliarse (17%) y manutención infantil ordenada por el tribunal (8%). A diferencia de los entornos globales donde predominan las armas de fuego, los agresores usaron principalmente herramientas de hackeo (9 casos), instrumentos de apuñalamiento (8 casos), incendios provocados (7 casos) y pesticidas (6 casos). Solo el 21% implicó suicidio por familiacidio, todos ellos usando pesticidas. El familicidio en eSwatini presenta tanto patrones universales (perpetración masculina, antecedentes de violencia doméstica) como factores culturalmente específicos (amenazas a la dignidad social, normas de infidelidad asimétricas de género). Las estrategias de prevención requieren desarrollar herramientas de evaluación de riesgos que combinen factores de riesgo universales y culturalmente específicos, fortalecer la capacidad de las fuerzas del orden y las estructuras tradicionales para abordar la violencia doméstica, y regular la adquisición de pesticidas. Una compleja interacción entre infraestructuras y limitaciones de recursos influye significativamente en los resultados del familicidio, aspectos que podrían pasar por alto en la investigación de regiones desarrolladas.
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