TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - Filicide-suicide or a suicide pact? A case report from Sri Lanka with implications for child protection
JO  - Sri Lanka journal of psychiatry
A1  - Hewagama., M.
A1  - Abeypitiya, S. G. H.
A1  - Dharmawardene, V.
SP  - e31
EP  - e31
VL  - 12
IS  - 2
N2  - Parents almost always are protective of their offspring. However, rarely they could be deadly towards children, specially when psychologically disturbed or disordered. In this brief report we discuss an incident of filicide-suicide that rocked Southern Sri Lanka a few years ago. In this incident, a father and three of his four children were found dead by hanging, due to an apparent suicide pact. There were warning signs and concerns raised prior to the incident which did not receive notable assertive action from authorities, as their concerns were limited to sexual abuse, which was found to be negative. This report explores possible motives of the father, as well as lessons for personnel from mental health services, child protection and police for when confronted with children who are in the custody of parents who could pose threat to their life. This case also highlights the need for comprehensive risk assessment and not merely the risk of sexual abuse.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2579-2008
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v12i2.8321
ID  - ref1
ER  -