A Man Committed a Tragic Act of Killing His Wife and Three Children

On July 30 th , 2024, a man in a frenzied act in the Hemdanak Baharestan area of Robat
Karim County in Tehran Province killed his wife and three children.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the 39-year-old father of the
family first strangled his children with a scarf and then killed his wife by smashing her
head against the wall.
The children (two daughters and one son) were aged one, ten, and sixteen years old,
respectively, with the youngest being a one-year-old girl.
According to the news, after murdering his family, the man hanged himself in the
backyard of the house and died. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the
killings, and no information about the victims’ identities has been released so far.
The Islamic Republic simplifies the issue by using terms like “family murder” and
“domestic dispute,” thereby shifting all responsibility away from the government.
One of the flawed educational policies is instilling the false belief in men that they have
ownership over the lives of their wife and children. According to the laws of the Islamic
Republic, the man is considered the “head of the family,” which leads fathers to believe
they have special rights over their family.
However, various factors could lead a father to commit such brutal acts. Some of the
most important factors include psychological, social, and cultural influences. Fathers
who resort to such violence may suffer from mental health issues such as severe
depression, personality disorders, or psychosis. These individuals, when faced with
overwhelming stress, may lose control and turn to violence.
Feelings of Failure: Some men, when confronted with life challenges like poverty,
unemployment, or financial issues, may feel like failures. These feelings can sometimes
be taken out on their family, leading to violent outcomes.
In some cases, these feelings lead to violence.
Culture and misguided traditions: In some societies, preserving “honor” and “dignity”
can become a motive for family killing. If the father feels that the behavior of his wife or
children has tarnished the family’s “honor,” he may resort to killing as a way to “cleanse”
or restore his reputation.
Revenge and Control: Some fathers, feeling ownership or extreme control over their
family, may resort to violence when faced with disobedience or the threat of being
abandoned by their wife or children. In such cases, killing becomes a tool for asserting
dominance or seeking revenge.

Lack of social support and family issues: In some cases, long-standing tensions and
unresolved conflicts within a family can escalate to the point where an individual resorts
to violence. The absence of social and psychological support can also worsen this
situation.
Although these factors differ, they all highlight a common issue: the need for awareness,
psychological and social support, and the creation of a cultural and legal environment
that prevents such tragedies.

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Stop honor Killings Campaign
Rezvan Moghadam, Spokesperson for the Campaign to Stop “honor” Killings.