Woman was 'one step from death' after leaving her violent partner

When Jennifer found the courage to leave her abuser after years of prolonged domestic violence, she mentally felt as though she was "one step from death".Jennifer, whose name has been omitted for legal reasons, endured physical, sexual and emotional violence, along with coercive control, at the hands of her former partner, with the matter still before the courts."When I left, I ended up in a mental health facility as I was really, really unwell," she said."I was diagnosed with PTSD, situational psychosis, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. I was one step from death, either by him or by myself."Thankfully, Jennifer received the treatment and support she needed to rebuild her life and recover from the abuse.She knows firsthand the struggle many victim-survivors face."I'm better than what I was before and feel healthy and grounded. I have done an immense amount of work on myself ever since I got out of that mental health facility," she said."But us survivors, we carry the trauma in our bodies."Jennifer has since rebuilt her life. (ABC News: Shauna Foley)Over 230 submissions made to DFSV inquiryThe Australian parliament's inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide is underway.The committee is examining the extent to which DFSV victimisation contributes to suicide risk, opportunities to prevent deaths by suicide in the context of DFSV victimisation and perpetration, and improvements to national data collection on suicides linked to DFSV.The latest public hearing was on October 16, with more than 230 submissions received.In its submission to the inquiry, Suicide Prevention Australia pointed to the urgent need for data collection.It also highlighted the topic's complexity, given both victims and perpetrators can be at risk of suicide.The inquiry accepted submissions earlier this year and expects to hand down a report in early 2027. (ABC News: Isabella Ross)In another submission, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which manages the National Mortality Database, said it had a framework for coding causes of death and risk factors, and that there was no specific framework for coding DFSV.It noted the quality of its database specific to suicides was ultimately dependent on the quality of source documents available to the ABS, such as those from coronial investigations."The ABS could examine if family and domestic violence could be captured more systematically for the [National Mortality Database]," the bureau wrote.In its submission, Domestic Violence NSW called for coordinated DFSV suicide prevention pathways and sustained investment in data collection."Suicides linked to coercive control, post-separation abuse, sexual violence, stalking and systems abuse are frequently misclassified as generic 'relationship problems' or treated solely through a mental health lens," they wrote.The peak body said this in turn obscured "the role of violence, entrapment and perpetrator tactics in driving distress and death".Domestic Violence NSW has called for investment in data collection on DFSV-linked suicides. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)A spokesperson for the inquiry said the committee was now considering the evidence heard as it prepared its report and recommendations."The committee continues to anticipate tabling its report in early 2027," they said.For Jennifer, she hoped the inquiry would recommend improving integration between domestic violence and suicide prevention services, and strengthen therapeutic services for victim-survivors and children exposed to violence to prevent long-term mental health impacts."My goal is to help create accessible, trauma-informed recovery services that support victim-survivors beyond crisis intervention," she said, pointing to the need for a holistic approach."Domestic violence affects all areas of your life, but it's the mental distress that lingers."Could a new manslaughter charge work for NSW?Some states are theorising a new form of manslaughter for perpetrators who drive their partners to suicide. (ABC News)Across Australia, some peak bodies are calling for a distinct category of manslaughter for when victims of domestic violence die by suicide following prolonged histories of coercive control or intimate partner violence.In Victoria, the Labor government pledged that if re-elected, it would to legislate a new form of manslaughter for perpetrators who drive their partners to suicide.In NSW, the Domestic Violence Death Review Team found domestic and family violence is often present in the lives of women who died by suicide.Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan welcomed efforts to strengthen NSW's laws and responses."Victim-survivors and their families deserve a justice system that recognises the full extent of the harm caused by domestic and family violence, and perpetrators must be held accountable," she said.Delia Donovan wants to see practical, properly resourced recommendations from the inquiry. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)Ms Donovan, however, said the state needed to do the "foundational work" first, such as building the capacity of police and prosecutors to identify and respond to the link between domestic violence and suicide, before addressing legislation options."The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found strong associations between intimate partner violence and suicidal thoughts and attempts, while also highlighting significant gaps in how violence-related suicide risk is identified and recorded," she said."What concerns us is that victim-survivors can fall between the cracks when domestic violence services and mental health services operate in silos."Ultimately, the peak body wanted to see practical, properly resourced recommendations from the inquiry."Progress in this space is long overdue," Ms Donovan said.Jennifer now advocates for other victim-survivors and strives to make change. (ABC News: Shauna Foley)Jennifer now uses her experience to advocate on behalf of fellow victim-survivors and assist with legislative reform."I want to create meaningful change so that others don't have to experience what I went through," she said."I had to find my own services and navigate my recovery largely on my own because the system simply doesn't provide the holistic, ongoing support victim-survivors need to heal and rebuild their lives."This work really does light my soul up."