Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee
Inquiry into capturing data on family violence perpetrators in Victoria
Report Tabled
On 21 March 2024, the Legislative Assembly agreed to the following motion:
That this house refers an inquiry into the mechanisms for capturing data on the profile and volume of perpetrators of family violence in Victoria and barriers to achieving a full understanding of this cohort to the Legal and Social Issues Committee for consideration and report no later than 26 November 2024.
Report presented to Parliament
Collecting data about people who use family violence is complex and there are inconsistences in what, when and how this data is collected.
Tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 1 April 2025, the report makes
71 findings and 61 recommendations.
The report focuses on how the Victorian Government can achieve a more holistic understanding of people using family violence. This includes considering improvements to current data collection, linkage and sharing and what else is needed to build knowledge about the perpetration of family violence.
Recommendations include mapping what existing data on people using family violence can and has the potential to do, and bringing together existing and planned research.
Some key areas of opportunity in the report are:
- Indigenous Data Sovereignty
- rectification processes to correct misidentification
- learning what works: programs for people using family violence
- a population-based survey.
Go to the report page to read about these areas, and the findings and recommendations.
Snapshot of inquiry
People from all backgrounds perpetrate family violence but current data represents only a small proportion of people using or experiencing family violence. The Inquiry was tasked with considering the mechanisms for capturing data on the profile and volume of people using family violence in Victoria and barriers to achieving a full understanding of this cohort.
Seventy-two submissions were received from a range of service providers, experts and people with lived experience of family violence.
Seven days of public hearings were held in Melbourne and Geelong, including an online panel with service providers working in border communities.
The report was presented to the Legislative Assembly on 1 April 2025. The breadth of the report’s sixty-one recommendations demonstrates the complexity of the Inquiry topic.
Terms of Reference
On 21 March 2024, the Legislative Assembly agreed to the following motion:
That this House refers an inquiry into the mechanisms for capturing data on the profile and volume of perpetrators of family violence in Victoria and barriers to achieving a full understanding of this cohort to the Legal and Social Issues Committee for consideration and report no later than 26 November 2024.
The reporting date was extended to 31 March 2025 by resolution of the Legislative Assembly on 1 August 2024.
Family violence services and support
If you or someone you know requires help with family violence, please reach out to a support service.
If you need emergency assistance, contact the local police or call Triple Zero 000.
If you have experienced family violence and need support or assistance, contact:
- The Orange Door (help for people who are experiencing family violence or who need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people) visit orangedoor.vic.gov.au to find support near you
- 1800 Respect (national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service) call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or online chat 1800respect.org.au/online-chat-1800respect (24/7)
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Phone Line (family and domestic violence support for Victorians) call 1800 015 188 (24/7)
- Victims of Crime Helpline (for victims of crime including men experiencing family violence) call 1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891 (8am–11pm everyday)
- Rainbow Door (specialist LGBTIQA+ support, advice and referral line) call 1800 729 367 (10am–5pm everyday)
- Seniors Rights Victoria Helpline (for older people experiencing or at risk of experiencing elder abuse) call 1300 368 821 (10am–5pm, Monday to Friday)
- Kids Helpline counselling service (for children and young people aged 5 to 25) call 1800 55 1800 or online chat kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling (24/7)
- inTouch (for migrant and refugee communities) call 1800 755 988 (9am–5pm, Monday to Friday) or visit intouch.org.au
- Djirra (for First Nations people) call 1800 105 303 (9am–5pm, Monday to Friday) or visit djirra.org.au
If you are concerned about your behaviour and its impact on your family, contact:
- Men’s Referral Service (advice for men about family violence) call 1300 766 491 (24/7)
Media releases
Putting the spotlight on people who use family violence
Media Release | 1 April
Hearing for inquiry into capturing data on people who use family violence set for Monday
Media Release | 6 September 2024
Hearing into capturing data on people using family violence set for Monday
Media Release | 16 August 2024
Academic experts to address hearing about data on people using family violence
Media Release | 9 August 2024
Data on people using family violence hearings set for Melbourne and Geelong
Media Release | 2 August 2024
Hearings for capturing data on people who use family violence inquiry set to begin
Media Release | 19 July 2024
Committee seeks submissions on family violence perpetrator data
Media Release | 9 April 2024
Contact us
Write
Parliament of Victoria
Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee
Parliament House
Spring Street
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002