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Arts & Communication Art images and trauma in femicide orphans

1. Introduction former partner. Tragically, in at least 19 cases, the femicide
was followed by suicide, resulting in the orphaning of the
The term “femicide” was originally introduced by American child(ren) . A growing body of studies in this research
[11]
feminist scholars in the 1990s and gained prominence domain has highlighted that orphans of femicide are
within the Italian public context about a decade ago. This secondary victims, warranting prioritized interventions
introduction aimed to label a specific kind of homicide: to address the consequences on their psychological
The deliberate killing of women by men with the intention well-being . Femicide can yield severe and traumatic
[12]
of asserting dominance over the female gender . In recent consequences for both the victim and their loved ones.
[1]
years, scholarly attention has progressively shifted toward
various facets linked to femicide. The trauma symptoms prevalent among femicide
survivors encompass a range of physiological and physical
The American sociologist and criminologist Diana
[2]
Russell coined the term “femicide.” This term was manifestations. These can include the following:
developed to describe violent male behavior that results (i) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Femicide
in the deliberate killing of a woman simply because she survivors may experience symptoms of PTSD such
is a woman. Mexican anthropologist Marcela Lagarde [3] as distressing flashbacks, unsettling nightmares, and
broadened the definition of femicide and introduced the intrusive recollections of the traumatic events.
term “feminicide” to cover all forms of discrimination (ii) Depression and anxiety: Femicide survivors may
and violence directed against women as women. This also experience symptoms of depression and anxiety,
includes a mode of control that destroys women’s identity including feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and
and subjects them to various forms of harm — physical, fear.
psychological, economic, juridical, political, and social, (iii) Substance abuse: Femicide survivors may turn to
which in some cases ends with their death. In this context, drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the trauma they
research has highlighted the presence of a phenomenon have experienced.
known as intimate partner violence (IPV), a pattern of (iv) Survivor guilt: Femicide survivors may feel guilty for
abusive behavior implemented in an intimate relationship surviving the attack while others did not.
where one partner (or ex-partner) seeks to exert control or (v) Social isolation: Femicide survivors may withdraw
dominance over the other [4,5] . This behavior can manifest from social activities and relationships, which can
as verbal, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, or culminate in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
technological abuse toward the victim. As a consequence, (vi) Physical symptoms: Femicide survivors may
the victim might experience feelings of fear, confusion, experience physical symptoms such as chronic pain,
dependence, and insecurity . It should be emphasized headaches, and fatigue.
[6]
that IPV is not exclusive to heterosexual couples; it can The traumatic consequences of being a femicide victim
also manifest within homosexual relationships, and it is can be severe and long-lasting. Survivors often grapple
not contingent on sexual intimacy . with feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame. In addition,
[7]
IPV can manifest in various forms, with intimate they may experience difficulty in trusting others and
partner homicide (IPH) representing a particularly have heightened feelings of fear and anxiety. Beyond the
severe and tragic occurrence. IPH entails the murder emotional and psychological aftermath, femicide can
of family members, often women, and can have far- also result in physical consequences, including injuries
[9]
reaching traumatic consequences for the surviving family sustained during the attack .
members. These consequences manifest as psychological The examination of scientific literature pertaining
trauma, which can be particularly severe . The trauma to this topic underscores the significance of evaluating
[8]
experienced by individuals who have lost a loved one to interventions designed to assess the impact of traumatic
IPH can be long-lasting and impact their mental health events on individuals. This evaluation encompasses aspects
and well-being. Recognizing the devastating impact of IPH such as the frequency and severity of trauma-related
on families is crucial, and it’s imperative to provide support symptoms, along with the assessment of psychological well-
and resources to help them cope with these traumatic being . An observed gap originating from the literature
[13]
experiences . According to the American Psychological analysis pertains to empirical studies into trauma, which
[9]
Association , psychological trauma encompasses the revealed that most variables considered in these studies
[10]
presence of overwhelming emotions and a pervasive sense were assessed unidimensionally. Consequently, it becomes
of helplessness . imperative to adopt a multidimensional approach when
[10]
Recent data reveal that 80% of mothers in cases of quantifying trauma-related variables, thereby allowing for
domestic homicides were killed by either a current or the differentiation of symptom specificity, encompassing

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2023) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.0337