Developing an accurate count of the domestic, family and sexual violence death toll
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has established a new inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) victimisation and suicide, and how to ensure Australian governments are accurately counting the DFSV death toll.
Chair of the Committee, Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP, said: “Suicides related to DFSV victimisation are not currently counted in conventional assessments of Australia’s national DFSV crisis. This may mean that the true death toll is much higher than previously thought.”
“Developing a methodology for more accurately counting the DFSV death toll across Australian, state and territory jurisdictions could enable better policy and programs, including prevention and early intervention, and the delivery of more effectively targeted legal, justice, health, mental health, and specialist DFSV services.”
The inquiry responds to a recommendation of the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches, which called for Australian governments to develop a consistent approach to death review processes. The Rapid Review recommended further investigation of the relationship between DFSV victimisation and suicide, with a view to developing a methodology for accurate counting of the DFSV death toll across Australian, state and territory jurisdictions. The Rapid Review said that capturing this data will enable the true scale of what the Review considers is a state of national emergency to finally be understood.
Ms Miller-Frost said: “The Committee is seeking written submissions by 30 January 2026 to inform our understanding of the relationship between DFSV victimisation and suicide, and how more accurate data and trends on DFSV deaths can be obtained.”
“The Committee is focussed on systemic issues and cannot investigate or assist with individual cases. The Committee will not be publishing contributions that provide personal details or include information relating to individual circumstances.”
Further information about the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the inquiry website at www.aph.gov.au/dfsvsuicidedata. Written submissions can be provided through the inquiry website.
Please be aware that the Committee is unable to intervene or provide advice in relation to individual circumstances. If you are in immediate danger, please contact 000. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the services below:
- Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467
- 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
- 13YARN: 13 92 76
- Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
- Headspace: 1800 650 890
Media inquiries
Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP
[email protected]
0474 702 934 (Ella Grummet, media advisor)
For background information
Committee Secretariat
[email protected]
02 6277 2358 (voicemail only)
For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website: www.aph.gov.au/spla. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.
