Finding into death of Jason

Contributing factors

• Family violence perpetration and relationship breakdown
• Recent separation from long-term partner
• Loss of contact with children following discovery of infidelity
• Depression and prior suicide attempts
• Alcohol misuse
• Pending criminal charges for FVIO breach and stalking
• COVID-19 isolation and confinement
• Possible non-adherence to antidepressant medication
• Inability to contact mental health services while travelling interstate for work

Coroner's recommendations

1. Family Safety Victoria to develop a standardised safety plan template in consultation with the sector, to be completed with victim-survivors and provided to security providers monitoring personal safety devices funded by the PSI, with instructions on responding when contacts cannot be reached and regular review intervals
2. Family Safety Victoria to update the Minimum requirements for auditing, installation and monitoring services to ensure all security providers have a copy of the victim-survivor's safety plan on file and must follow it when alarms are activated
3. Family Safety Victoria to coordinate with the Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL) to develop an update to the National Police Alarm Response Guideline to include: clear guidance on when activation should be considered 'validated' even when user cannot be contacted; limitations of audio review for assessing family violence risk; explicit instructions that silent or non-violent audio does not indicate invalid activation; and requirements for providers to check for and comply with safety plans
4. Family Safety Victoria to review and update Personal Safety Initiative policies in accordance with amendments to the National Police Alarm Response Guideline
5. Family Safety Victoria to work with Statewide Personal Safety Initiative Coordinators to provide guidance on policy amendments and ensure case managers are aware of device limitations and circumstances for police contact