Contents Part executive Summary 8

QUESTION

NSW		QLD		WA OMBUDSMAN	WA CORONER	SA	VIC
1.12Is advocacy required to optimise domestic and family violence death review systems and resources in your State or Territory?	No.		Yes. Both the DFVDRU and the DFVDRAB were established as a result of strong community and sector support and advocacy.		Resources to undertake the Ombudsman’s role are considered appropriate.	N/A	Unsure – it would depend what ‘advocacy’ looked like or what was being suggested.	This has been helpful at times when the VSRFVD was not supported by additional funding to the CCOV.
QUESTION	NSW		QLD		WA OMBUDSMAN	WA CORONER	SA	VIC
1.13What databases do you use to source information on domestic and family violence deaths in your jurisdiction?	The Secretariat derives information from the Criminal or Coronial Brief of Evidence, and uses court databases (Caselaw, JusticeLink, JIRS) and police databases (COPS database) to identify cases for inclusion and collect case review information. The Team is also empowered to call for information from government and nongovernment agencies in relation to cases subject to review. The Team also has access to NCIS, but these databases do not provide reliable information in relation to domestic and family violence context.		The DFVDRU maintains a database on domestic and family violence related deaths that have occurred in Queensland since 2006. For individual deaths, information is sought from agencies where it is identified that the deceased and/or perpetrator has had contact in relation to domestic and family violence. This may include the police, health, social services or courts.		The Ombudsman is able to access all relevant databases using the powers contained in the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971 (WA) and the Royal Commissions Act 1968 (WA). These include the relevant information contained in databases of Western Australia Police, the Department for Child Protection and Family Support and the Department of Health. The Ombudsman may also request relevant data held by Courts.	We do not have a dedicated database. Western Australian data is maintained on the National Coronial Information System (NCIS).	The National Coronial Information System SA Coronial Information System Coroners Domestic Violence Information System (purpose built data system to house specific DV death review information) Homeless to Home data base (housing and domestic violence service information system) Police Information Management Systems information is provided upon request.	The Victorian Homicide Register and Austlii.
QUESTION	NSW		QLD		WA OMBUDSMAN	WA CORONER	SA	VIC
1.14How do you report findings and recommendations in your jurisdiction? Describe both formal and informal processes.	The Team reports its findings and recommendations annually to NSW Parliament. The Team does not report informally.		For the DFVDRU for cases that go to inquest, findings are published on the courts website and distributed via existing networks. DFVDRU activities and statistics are reported annually in the OSC Annual Report. Coroners also have the discretion to publish non inquest findings if they consider it is in the public interest to do so.