Introduction

14.1 This chapter is concerned with the extent to which the criminal law should recognise family violence as relevant to a defence to homicide, in circumstances where a victim of family violence kills the family member who was violent towards him or her. This raises the related issue of whether current defences to homicide for victims in family relationships are adequate. This chapter also considers the categories of relationships that should be recognised where a family relationship between the offender and the victim is prescribed as an element of a criminal offence or defence, or as a sentencing factor.