This statistic shows the total number of children/youth victims of family-related homicides in Canada from 2008 to 2018, distinguished by motive. Between 2008 and 2018, around 163 killings of children by family members were motivated by frustration, anger, or despair.
No apparent motive includes mental illness and dementia. Concealment includes homicides committed to hide evidence of something, for example a pregnancy or birth of a child, or evidence of another criminal offence. This is the most common motive for infanticides. Other motives can include financial gain, mercy killing, and sexual violence.
Adapted from Statistics Canada, Family violence in Canada: A statistical profile 2018, page 22, 2008 to 2018. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
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StatCan (Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics). (December 12, 2019). Number of child victims of family-related homicides in Canada from 2008 to 2018, by motive [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 07, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/434632/child-victims-of-family-related-homicides-in-canada-by-motive/
StatCan (Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics). "Number of child victims of family-related homicides in Canada from 2008 to 2018, by motive." Chart. December 12, 2019. Statista. Accessed June 07, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/434632/child-victims-of-family-related-homicides-in-canada-by-motive/
StatCan (Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics). (2019). Number of child victims of family-related homicides in Canada from 2008 to 2018, by motive. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 07, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/434632/child-victims-of-family-related-homicides-in-canada-by-motive/
StatCan (Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics). "Number of Child Victims of Family-related Homicides in Canada from 2008 to 2018, by Motive." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Dec 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/434632/child-victims-of-family-related-homicides-in-canada-by-motive/
StatCan (Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics), Number of child victims of family-related homicides in Canada from 2008 to 2018, by motive Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/434632/child-victims-of-family-related-homicides-in-canada-by-motive/ (last visited June 07, 2025)
Number of child victims of family-related homicides in Canada from 2008 to 2018, by motive [Graph], StatCan (Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics), December 12, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/434632/child-victims-of-family-related-homicides-in-canada-by-motive/
