Childhood Violence Across Distinct, Overlapping, and Concurrent Contexts: Polyvictimization, Polyperpetration, and Missed Interventions Points among Child Knife Crime Fatalities in England

This study analysed 58 casefiles from the National Childhood Mortality Database of children in England fatally stabbed between 2019 and 2024. We examined experiences of violence and harm across home, school, and public spaces, revealing missed intervention opportunities. All children had been victims of some form of violence that resulted in their death. However, casefile analysis revealed that, prior to this point, 59% had experienced multiple forms of harm (polyvictimization); similarly, 59% had perpetrated harm against others, with 33% perpetrating more than one form of harm (polyperpetration). Findings emphasise the importance of early identification and specialist support that avoids siloed thinking that separates victimization and perpetration. The study highlights the need for a wider understanding of multi-domain and distinct types of violence in children’s lives to inform future fatality prevention strategies.