Finding into death of Pelelini Sooula

Contributing factors

• prior family violence not reported to police
• escalation of violence after separation
• controlling and jealous behaviour by perpetrator
• threats to kill made by perpetrator
• victim reluctance to contact police
• third parties aware of violence but did not report to authorities
• lack of public awareness of family violence risk factors and escalation indicators

Coroner's recommendations

1. Ensure the revised Lookout website contains information for family violence victims, families and friends about risk factors and risk assessments for victims, including information on how to identify family violence risk factors and escalation
2. Improve accessibility of family violence risk assessment information on public-facing websites, moving 'Red flags' fact sheet out of worker-only section to be easily accessible to general public
3. Support the development and implementation of online self-assessment tools (such as iDecide) for public use to enable both victims and concerned third parties to assess risk levels
4. Support the continuation and development of Support and Safety Hubs to provide central entry points for family violence reporting by third parties, victims and perpetrators
5. Ensure family violence community awareness and prevention programmes reflect the diversity of the Victorian community and are culturally appropriate
6. Expand third-party reporting pathways and education about how to confidentially report family violence concerns, building on 'Say Something' campaign principles