Non-intimate femicide in England and Wales: A ‘continua’ approach

Abstract This article addresses ‘non-intimate femicide’ (NIF), referring to the killing of women and girls outside of family and intimate relationships. Despite substantial proportions of femicides involving non-intimate circumstances, there is a dearth of evidence, research and policy on NIF. Using Homicide Index data for England and Wales (2002–2022), this article provides original insight into the victim, perpetrator and incident characteristics in NIF cases, and reveals important differences between intimate and NIF, as well as high levels of missing or poorly recorded data. We argue for more accurate recording of NIF, alongside a ‘continua thinking’ approach to femicide research, which documents the killing of all women and girls across a range of intimate and non-intimate contexts.