« Cette femme est coupable moralement et légalement »

Abstract

Between 1870 and 1914, before the Assize Court of Brabant, twelve women were accused of child homicide and eight were accused of homicide of their husband. Both during the investigation and the trial, the actors in the justice system gave great importance to the morals and reputation of the accused, taking into account, in particular, elements relating to their sexual relations and their (in)fidelity, their role as wife and their maternal virtues.

Keywords

• women
• intrafamilial homicide
• sexual morality
• reputation
• Brabant (Belgium)
• Belle Époque