Exploring the use of Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams David, Nadia
Material type:
- 1443-8496
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Vine library | Online | Available | ON12070269 |
ADFVC issues paper, 2007, no. 15
Every year in the USA between 1000 and 1600 women are killed in domestic violence-related homicides (Websdale 2003), a phenomenon only recognised by law enforcement and victims' groups in the past few decades. This paper discusses the establishment of Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams (DVFRTs) in California and the US, the first of which was established in California in 1991. Since that time, DVFRTs have become widespread across the country. DVFRTs have proven invaluable in identifying common weaknesses in systems and protocols responding to domestic violence, that have led to a fatality. Teams have gone on to recommend solutions and to identify patterns of weapons used, manner of death and even the number of previous domestic violence calls made to police prior to the fatality, providing an excellent resource about helpseeking behaviour, and constantly identifying potential improvements in service delivery. Through an examination of DVFRTs in the USA (where they have had the longest history and most extensive expansion), this paper explores the purpose and operation of DVFRTs, and considers the potential value of their application in Australia. The paper specifically examines the existing local response to domestic homicide and the potential contribution that DVFRTs could make to the prevention of fatalities.--FROM INTRODUCTION
This paper has been archived by the National Library of Australia. Record #2640
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