109 Queensland children killed by parents or caregivers between 2004-2020

New data shows 109 Queensland children were killed by those entrusted to love them the most between 2004-2020.

Nearly seven Queensland children are being killed by their parents or caregivers each year, according to harrowing new research.

The new data, released by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC), shows 109 Queensland kids were killed by those entrusted to love them the most – an act known as filicide – between 2004 – 2020.

The Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board found almost a quarter of all domestic homicide victims in Queensland were children killed by filicide.

The tragic statistics come as the University of Queensland analysed QFCC child death data to determine what made kids most at risk of being killed by their parents or caregivers.

The research suggested children who are exposed to violence, alcohol and drugs were at highest risk, while parents’ separation was also identified as a risk factor – particularly when a filicide event was perpetrated by a father motivated by anger towards their former partner.

“While the presence of these factors does not mean a filicide event is inevitable, this research reinforces that risk factors can’t be ignored when considering the safety of a child,” QFCC Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford said.

“The death of any child is a tragedy, but when it happens at the hands of a parent or carer, it is particularly shocking and leaves us wondering how warning signs were missed.”

The research showed three-quarters of all child victims killed by a parent or caregiver were younger than five, while the risk dropped significantly once a child started school.

Research suggested once a child starts school, they are absent from the home for

the majority of the day and physically removed from a potentially harmful environment.

Schooling also made a child more visible to society, and provided more opportunity for intervention.

Mr Twyford said more research needs to be done to help professionals better understand why parents and caregivers choose to take their children’s life, in hopes to find opportunities to save our most vulnerable.

“I encourage all professionals working with children and families to strengthen their understanding of filicide to help them identify factors within a family environment that can increase the risk of its occurrence,” Mr Twyford said.

For more information, visit the QFCC website at www.qfcc.qld.gov.au