The Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Unit (DFVDRU) is situated within the Coroners Court of Queensland and is responsible for providing specialist advice and assistance to Coroners in their investigations of domestic and family violence (DFV) and child protection related deaths, as well as secretariat support to the DFVDRAB, and other death prevention initiatives. Death review processes are a key part of a whole of system response to DFV, and the strength of Queensland's current approach within the Coroners Court of Queensland (CCQ) was recognised by the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce in its first report, which extensively referenced relevant coronial findings, as well as the findings and recommendations of the independent multidisciplinary DFV Death Review and Advisory Board (the Board).
The independent Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board (DFVDRAB) is established under the Coroners Act 2003 to undertake systemic reviews of domestic and family violence related homicides and suicides to identify opportunities for policy, system and practice change and to develop recommendations to inform more effective death prevention strategies that aim to reduce the incidence of these deaths. The Women's Safety and justice Taskforce recently noted that coronial findings and the multi-disciplinary expertise of the Board have contributed to a 'wealth of information about how domestic and family violence is being responded to across the service system and, importantly, where there are deficits that need to be addressed' but there were missed opportunities for government to 'effect meaningful improvement across the system in response to identified issues.
Under the Coroners Act 2003, Coroners are responsible for investigating reportable deaths that occur in Queensland. This investigation seeks to determine the identity of the deceased person, when and where they died, how they died and the medical cause of death. Where an inquest is held the Coroner may make recommendations about public health and safety or the administration of justice aimed at preventing similar deaths from occurring in the future. Applicants are advised that the work of the Coroners Court of Queensland will expose employees to disturbing material including offending behaviours, criminal activity and other explicit, distressing or offensive content. Employees may be required to engage with persons who have and may continue to experience distressing circumstances and/or are involved with the coronial system.
Applicants should consider the above and their personal resilience and coping strategies to sustain working in confronting and challenging circumstances
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