Family Violence and Women’s Deaths by Suicide
Status: Ongoing
Project Team: Dr Stef Vasil (ACU), Prof Kate Fitz-Gibbon (Monash Uni) and Prof Marie Segrave
Funder: Victorian Women’s Trust
Synoposis
This is the first study focused on coronial investigation processes relating to histories of family violence following women’s deaths by suicide in Victoria, Australia. The report illuminates a range of systemic challenges – as well as opportunities – for identifying and responding to women at risk of suicide, along with the issues that can arise in recognising the role and impacts of family violence prior to women’s deaths by suicide.
Submission to Senate Inquiry into the Relationship Between Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (DFSV) and Suicide (June 2026)
Our evidence and submission call for:
A nationally agreed definition of deaths by suicide in the context of domestic, family and sexual violence.
Consistent investigation processes across Australia to better identify system failures and opportunities for prevention and early intervention.
State and territory governments to review and update risk screening, assessment and management frameworks and related tools to ensure they incorporate risk indicators for suicide.
Greater understanding of the prevalence, nature of and responses to coercion to suicide - an often under-recognised form of coercive control.
Increased investment in safe, supported housing rather than reliance on emergency motel accommodation for victim-survivors.
Workforce capability uplift to strengthen earlier identification of risk, improve risk management, and support coordinated responses across DFSV services, mental health, health, justice, child protection and other settings.
Federal, state and territory governments to develop and deliver a suite of early intervention strategies and age-appropriate, trauma-informed crisis responses, recovery and healing services for children and young people impacted by experiences of violence and abuse.
Research Outputs
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Vasil, S., Fitz-Gibbon, K., & Segrave, M. (2026), Family violence and women’s deaths by suicide: A Victorian study, Victorian Women’s Trust, Con Irwin Sub-Fund, Victoria, Australia.
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Dr Stefani Vasil, Prof Kate Fitz-Gibbon and Prof Marie Segrave ‘Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs: Inquiry into the Relationship between Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence and Suicide’ (January 2026)
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