Are Honor Killings Unique? A Comparison of Honor Killings, Domestic Violence Homicides, and Hate Homicides by Far-Right Extremists

• DOI: 10.1177/1088767917736796
• Date: 01 February 2018
• Published date: 01 February 2018
• Author: Colleen E. Mills,Steven M. Chermak,Joshua D. Freilich,Brittany E. Hayes
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/1088767917736796

Homicide Studies

2018, Vol. 22(1) 70 –93

© 2017 SAGE Publications

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DOI: 10.1177/1088767917736796

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Article

Are Honor Killings Unique?

A Comparison of Honor

Killings, Domestic Violence

Homicides, and Hate

Homicides by Far-Right

Extremists

Brittany E. Hayes1, Colleen E. Mills2,

Joshua D. Freilich3, and Steven M. Chermak4

Abstract

This study compared honor killings, domestic violence homicides, and hate

homicides committed by far-right extremists. Prior research has suggested that

terrorists may differ from “regular” offenders whereas others suggest similarities.

Data from the Extremist Crime Database were used to compare honor killings

committed in the United States since 1990 to domestic violence and hate

homicides (N = 48). Open-source documents were closed coded for criminal

justice involvement, domestic violence history, motivation, and offenders’ mental

illness. Honor killings were more likely to have a history of domestic violence in

open sources than hate homicides, suggesting these three homicides may be more

similar than different.

Keywords

femicide, gender, intimate partner, victim–offender relationship, honor killing,

extremism, hate homicide

1Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA

2Pennsylvania State University, Abington, USA

3City University of New York, New York City, USA

4Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA

Corresponding Author:

Brittany E. Hayes, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, 816

17th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA.

Email: behayes4@shsu.edu

736796HSXXXX10.1177/1088767917736796Homicide StudiesHayes et al.

research-article2017

Hayes et al. 71

This study examines the characteristics of honor killings, domestic violence homi-

cides, and hate homicides committed by far-right extremists to identify commonalities

and differences across these three seemingly distinct types of homicides based on

ideas of Perry (2001) and Hirschi and Gottfredson (2001). We examine prior involve-

ment with the criminal justice system generally, history of domestic violence, the

motivation for the incident, and offenders’ claims of mental illness for each of the

three homicide types. Little is known about if, and how honor killings are distinct from

domestic violence homicides and hate homicides. Prior research, in fact, has stated

that the definition of an honor killing is contextual and often unclear (Shier & Shor,

2016). Our goal in identifying the similarities and differences across these homicide

types is to extend and refine theorizing on these topics. Below, we conceptualize honor

killings, domestic violence homicides, and hate homicides, and discuss each crime’s

characteristics, including the typical victim–offender relationship and potential

motivations.

Honor Killings

Honor killings are conceptualized as violent acts committed by one or more per-

petrators, generally a male, to restore honor to their family in response to the vic-

tim’s perceived violation of familial honor codes or misbehaviors that are believed

to shame the family (Kulwicki, 2002). This definition consists of several compo-

nents. First, a violent act, which can be fatal or nonfatal, must be committed

(Cooney, 2014). It estimated that 5,000 women and children are killed annually in

honor killings (United Nations Population Fund, 2000), though this estimate likely

underreports the true numbers (Wikan, 2008). The second component holds that

the victim is targeted because the perpetrator(s) believed the victim’s actual or

alleged behavior violated an honor code. The victim’s real or perceived behaviors

are believed by the perpetrator(s) to cause shame to the family. Studies find that

females may “dishonor” their family by violating or being perceived to violate

female chastity norms, including loss of virginity before marriage, infidelity

(Baker, Gregware, & Cassidy, 1999; Cooney, 2014; Kulwicki, 2002), interacting

socially with nonfamily males (Akpinar, 2003), or acting autonomously by, for

example, gaining an education, leaving an abusive husband, or dressing how she

wants (Hayes, Freilich, & Chermak, 2016; Hasan, 2002; İnce, Yarali, & Özsel,

2009; Pope, 2012). Finally, the offender(s) believes the violent act will restore

their family’s honor. Overall, what is important is that the concept of honor serves

as a mechanism to reinforce and legitimate patriarchy within particular cultures

(Baker et al., 1999).

Prior research finds the victim–offender relationship differs depending upon the

country in which the honor killing is committed and that one or more offenders can

commit the act. Kulwicki (2002) concludes brothers and extended kin are more likely

to commit honor killings outside the United States. In comparison, Hayes and col-

leagues (2016) report the most frequent perpetrator of an American honor killing is the

victim’s father followed by the victim’s current or estranged spouse.