Van Horne Presents Research on Femicides at John Jay Conference

By Purnell T. Cropper | August 27, 2014

In early June, Dr. Sheryl Van Horne presented a paper titled “The Impact of Religious Participation on Femicides across the U.S.: Implications for Community Change” in Athens, Greece, at John Jay’s Biennial International Conference on The Rule of Law in an Era of Change: Security, Social Justice and Inclusive Governance.

Abstract

This research investigates the significance of religious participation as a correlate of femicides across the country from 2000-2011. Framed within the context of the systemic reformulation of social disorganization theory, this research examines the relevant structural correlates of femicides. Using the Uniform Crime Report Supplementary Homicide Reports from 2000-2011, Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) data from 2000, and Census data from 2000, the systemic reformulation of social disorganization theory is employed to examine aggregated incidents of homicide where women are the victims through negative binomial regressions on count data. After depicting descriptive data on femicides, including basic demographic data of both victims and offenders, victim-offender relationship, and situational characteristics including the method of homicide and weapons used, the structural variable characteristics are presented. Finally, implications for community change are suggested that could apply globally.