Service Contacts Proximate to Intimate Partner Homicides in Victoria

Abstract

This study examined the frequency, nature and proximity of service contacts among victims and perpetrators of intimate partner homicide in Victoria, Australia. A retrospective review was conducted of coroner's records of 120 intimate partner homicides for the period 2000-2008. In 91 (75.8 %) of the cases, one or both parties had contact with a service in the 12 months preceding the homicide. The justice system was the most frequent point of contact among both parties, and the healthcare system was often the first and preferred point of contact for victims and perpetrators when seeking assistance individually. Overall, perpetrators were more likely to have contact with a service than victims, and the majority of all service contacts occurred within 1 month of the homicide. This paper outlines the prevention opportunities that exist within the service system and highlights the importance of interventions and treatments directed at perpetrators of family violence.

Taxonomía de los Homicidios de Mujeres en las Relaciones de Pareja

“…El análisis de 188 homicidios de pareja perpetrados en Inglaterra y Gales registró un porcentaje de violencia previa del 36.4% (Bridger et al, 2017). Otros trabajos han señalado porcentajes inferiores, en torno al 30% (Murphy, Liddell y Bugeja, 2016;Varnar et al, 2017). Caman, Kristiansson, Granath y Sturup (2017) describieron cómo disminuye la presencia de historia de violencia en los homicidios de pareja ocurridos en Suecia a lo largo de más de una década.…”

The modern coroner as injury preventer

“…That is not the case today. A cursory review of publications from the last year alone shows studies that have analysed coronial data to advance understanding of opioid deaths,19 intimate partner homicide,20 suicide among the elderly21 and deaths in nursing homes 22. We recently used coronial data to link the sharp decline suicide by motor vehicle exhaust asphyxiation with changes in emissions laws in Australia 23…”

Responses to the primary health care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experiencing violence: A scoping review of policy and practice guidelines

“…Often the health system is the first and only point of contact with professionals for women 8 ; and evidence suggest women prefer to seek help from PHC providers when experiencing violence. 11 However, it is well documented that mainstream PHC and specialist family violence services often do not adequately respond to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experiencing violence. 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience multiple barriers to accessing mainstream services, which is compounded by barriers to disclosing violence.…”