A Domestic and Family Violence Death Review will soon be established in the ACT after the Legislative Assembly approved legislative amendments on Thursday.
Death reviews look at domestic and family violence-related deaths as a connected group, not just as isolated events, explained Yvette Berry, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.
They examine the wider context in which these deaths occur, the escalation of violence, including non-physical violence, and the responses provided by government and service systems.
“Deaths from domestic and family violence are tragic and heartbreaking,” Ms Berry said. “It’s crucial to learn from the events that led up to these deaths to try and prevent them in the future.
“By taking a system-wide perspective, death reviews can make recommendations to improve practice in relation to policy, procedures, legislation, systems, and services, as well as make improvements to data collection and management and public awareness campaigns.”
Heidi Yates, ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner, said the Death Review would ensure the ACT could identify and fix system gaps, and so minimise the likelihood of further deaths.
“Domestic and family violence is a problem that requires complex, coordinated responses across government, non-government services and community,” Ms Yates said. “The new model will maximise the ACT’s ability to learn from deaths, near fatal incidents, and accidents that occur in the context of domestic and family violence.
“It will provide the best chance of learning how we should tailor our services, laws, and practices to prevent violence, and meet the needs of domestic and family violence victims.”
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