Boys and girls are being killed as a result of being exposed to danger by the very adults who are supposed to protect them. In recent cases, some children have lost their lives at the hands of their mothers’ or fathers’ partners. This happens, in part, because some adults choose to maintain relationships with violent or dangerous individuals, without taking the necessary precautions to ensure their children’s safety. It is a personal decision to choose who to be in a relationship with, and every adult has the freedom to do so — but that freedom cannot come at the cost of a child’s life.
In such situations, it has become common to classify these crimes under the concept of “vicarious violence,” referring to harm inflicted on children by an aggressor in order to emotionally hurt the mother. However, this term is sometimes used to deflect responsibility from those who, by action or omission, expose the child to danger. In certain narratives, the focus shifts from the direct victim — the murdered child — to the suffering of the mother, who is then portrayed as the primary victim. This approach renders the true victim invisible and minimizes the parental responsibility of exposing a child to a violent or dangerous individual.
Recognizing that children have their own rights means holding all surrounding adults accountable, including both mothers and fathers. Adults’ freedom to choose their relationships must never outweigh their duty to protect their children. This principle is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which mandates the safeguarding of minors from any form of risk, always prioritizing their best interests.
Adjunct Professor in Sociology at the University of Barcelona