Meli’s frontline insights have informed a parliamentary inquiry examining the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide.
Manager Family Violence, Kristy Berryman, represented Meli at a public hearing of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs in Melbourne on 19 June.
Her appearance followed Meli’s formal submission to the inquiry in March.
The inquiry is exploring the relationship between DFSV victimisation and suicide, and how more accurate data and trends on DFSV-related deaths can be captured.
Drawing on Meli’s frontline work, Ms Berryman highlighted the significant risk of suicide linked to experiences of violence – affecting both victim-survivors and people who use violence.
She spoke about the devastating impact of coercive control on victim-survivors, including situations where perpetrators threaten suicide or encourage self-harm as a form of abuse.
Ms Berryman also outlined the benefits of integrated service responses in reducing suicide risk and emphasised the critical role the Coroners Court can play in investigating suicides in the context of DFSV.
A key focus of Meli’s evidence was the need for stronger information sharing and coordination across systems – particularly between mental health and family violence services – to better understand and respond to the mental health impacts of violence.
The inquiry is ongoing and is expected to inform future policy and service responses.
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