Maternal Infanticide in Australia: Mental Disturbance During the Postpartum Period

The crime of infanticide is recognised in a number of Australian states. Generally, the legislation requires that a mother kill her child aged less than 12 months, and, at the time of the offence, her mental balance is disturbed by the effect of childbirth or lactation. According to research, however, the relationship between childbirth-related mental disturbance and infanticide, is unclear. Research is warranted to explore this relationship further using Australian data. In particular, given the highly diverse nature of the population, specific focus should be given to vulnerable Indigenous infants as well as to culturally diverse groups.