Family Violence Death Review
Responsible government
- Australian Capital Territory
Fourth Action Plan actions
- Improve support and service system responses
- 19 Build the evidence base to inform responses to domestic, family and sexual violence by strengthening the focus on what works to reduce violence, improving data and supporting the Fourth Action Plan priorities.
What are we doing?
The ACT Government is providing $200,000 in 2021-22 to fund a data system for a Family Violence Death Review. The Death Review, established through legislation in 2021, will analyse information relating to domestic and family violence deaths in the ACT and make recommendations for system-wide improvements to services to prevent similar deaths occurring in the future.
What have we achieved so far?
A consultation process with key stakeholders was undertaken in 2020 and 2021. Legislative amendments to establish a Family Violence Death Review were passed in the Legislative Assembly in 2021. The legislation establishes the position of a Death Review coordinator and allows for the creation of advisory committees, gives the coordinator powers to gather information from other agencies, and provides for biennial reporting to the Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence. The Death Review will be able to consider matters that result in death or serious harm (including self-harm and suicide) in connection with domestic and family violence.
What is next?
Work to implement the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review will continue in 2021.
What difference will we make?
The intended outcome of an ACT Family Violence Death Review is to make system-wide improvements across policy, systems and services, data collection and legislation to prevent future deaths related to domestic and family violence. Risk factors identified as part of the Death Review will also inform concurrent work of the ACT Government to deliver a domestic and family violence risk assessment and management framework (see Domestic and Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management Framework).