Every homicide, suicide or other death linked to family violence is a tragic loss of life. All family violence-related deaths are preventable. Every death is a lesson: an opportunity to understand where our responses can improve, and a reminder that preventing violence requires more than a crisis intervention. It requires sustained action to address the underlying drivers of violence to create a Tasmania where people can live free from violence.
Engender Equality welcomes the Tasmania Law Reform Institute’s review of the Coroners Act 1995 (Tas) and the opportunity to contribute to reforms that strengthen Tasmania’s response to family violence-related deaths. We strongly support the recent legislative changes that recognise deaths where family violence has materially contributed to the death as matters warranting heightened coronial scrutiny through mandatory inquests.