A Coroner has expressed concerns about failures to understand the profound links between domestic abuse and suicide.
On 2 February 2018 Jessica Laverack, 34, was found dead at her home in Beverley. The Coroner for East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull, Ms Lorraine Harris, said Jessica had a history of domestic abuse and self-harm.
In the Prevention of Future Deaths Report (see link below) she states there is a “need for the recognition of the link between domestic abuse and suicide”. The Matters of Concern also point out systemic processes and policies appear not to have a sufficient awareness of this very serious connection.
Here is the full Regulation 28: Report to Prevent Future Deaths :
The Coroner also pointed out a lack of information sharing between all relevant agencies, and for the need for better training for police officers to identify domestic abuse and suicide risk.
Ms Harris also suggested domestic cases might be referred to “police adult safeguarding” rather than “front line officers”.
Significantly, the Coroner thinks a more “joint approach” across government is required between the Home Office, the Departments of Justice and of Health and Social Care.
This highlights the significant gap which still exists between the extensive scientific evidence base regarding domestic abuse, the resultant traumas, self-harm and suicide on the one hand, and the working model of the whole criminal justice system.
It is time to review the bases for the forms of evidence that could be admissible to the judicial process. Not only is it in the interests of all victims of domestic abuse, but the integrity of our system of justice, and of the public’s confidence therein, demands nothing less.