Almost one-third of homicides in NSW between 2000 and 2022 happened within a context of domestic violence, the NSW coroner has revealed.
During these two decades, women were far more likely to be killed in a domestic violence-related homicide than men, a new report from the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team shows, with approximately 80 per cent of intimate partner violence homicides involving men killing women.
Researchers from the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team identified that of all homicides that occurred in NSW between 2000 and 2022, 550 were within a domestic violence context. These homicides represent one-third of the 1832 homicides recorded during that period.
Almost two-thirds of women who were killed in a domestic violence context were killed by either their ex-partner, or while undergoing a separation from their male partner. This indicates that the period leading up to and immediately following separation is a particularly dangerous time for women with abusive male partners.
“In the intimate partner violence cases, just over a third of women were killed by their male partner after leaving the relationship, and for another third of the women killed, the relationship was breaking down and the woman had indicated an intention to separate,” the report says.
“In almost three-quarters of the cases where the relationship had ended, the male abuser had stalked the female victim prior to the homicide.”
Meanwhile, almost 75 per cent of male abusers used at least three types of domestic violence against their female partner prior to the homicide. These types include emotional/psychological violence; physical violence; sexual violence; economic violence; and stalking.
Approximately 18 per cent of all domestic violence-context homicides involved parents killing children. For 90 per cent of children killed in this context, there was a history of intimate partner violence between their parents, while just over 60 percent of domestic violence-context filicides were perpetrated by a male parent.
The findings also show that the majority of women who killed their male partners were victims of that man’s violence.
A ‘downward trend’ in domestic violence homicides has stalled
Convenor of the Domestic Violence Death Review Team, Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan said a downward trend of domestic violence homicides had stalled recently.
“Since the Team’s establishment in 2010 there has been a gradual decline in domestic violence homicides in NSW. More recently, however, this downward trend has stalled, and a number of recent cases have drawn into sharp focus the unacceptably high rates of domestic violence homicide, and in particular the deaths of women, that persist nationwide,” O’Sullivan said in the report.
“The sharp rise in the number of women killed across Australia has seen a groundswell of community-led advocacy demanding urgent action to prevent men’s violence against women. This has prompted a renewed commitment from governments to do more to respond to domestic, family and sexual violence, with domestic violence death reviews being recognised as an important part of this response.”
O’Sullivan said the report provides “crucial insights to guide policymakers, service providers and advocates in preventing, responding to, and aiding recovery from domestic violence”.
“It cannot, however, truly convey the profound loss it represents. The courage, resilience and diversity of the individuals whose lives are considered cannot be reflected in numbers, nor can the grief and trauma for those that loved them,” O’Sullivan said.
“We can, and must, do better.”
NSW’s most disadvantaged women overrepresented
The findings show that domestic violence homicides occur across all socioeconomic areas and demographic groups in NSW. However, 40 per cent of domestic violence victims lived in the most disadvantaged areas of NSW.
“This finding aligns with results from the ABS Personal Safety Survey which revealed that women living in the lowest quintile of socio-economic advantage were most likely to have experienced intimate partner violence in the last two years, and those in the highest quintile were the least likely,” the report says.
In a statement on Thursday, the NSW government acknowledged the tabling of the report, saying it is a “sobering and sombre read”.
“This report is a stark reminder of the great responsibility borne by the government to take meaningful and continued action to address the scourge of domestic and family violence on the communities of New South Wales,” it said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
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