On Thursday 20 October 2022, the Western Australian Ombudsman and President of the International Ombudsman Institute tabled in Parliament the report of his major own motion investigation titled Investigation into family and domestic violence and suicide
(the Investigation Report).

The Investigation Report includes a comprehensive set of state-wide data relating to 68 women and child victims of family and domestic violence who died by suicide in 2017 and their prior interactions with State government departments and authorities.

The Ombudsman found that a range of work has been undertaken by State government departments and authorities to administer their relevant legislative responsibilities to support the safety of women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. However, the Ombudsman found that there is important further work that should be done, including a range of opportunities across all stages of the service spectrum to improve the identification of, and responses to, family and domestic violence in Western Australia.

The Investigation Report also identified the need for State government departments and authorities to use a trauma informed approach when working with people who have experienced multiple circumstances of vulnerability, including in responding to family and domestic violence and suicidality. (From the website). The full report consists of 4 volumes which can be downloaded separately. Record #8342