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Perpetrators of family violence often use suicide threats as a means to manipulate and control their victims. Research from the Australian Institute of Criminology reveals that nearly 40% of women who are victims of coercive control experience threats of self-harm from their abusers.
These suicide threats may stem from mental health issues, tactics of abuse, or a combination of both. This can create a situation where victims feel trapped in an abusive relationship.
Statistics show that men who commit intimate partner homicides are significantly more likely to have suicidal thoughts compared to the general population. For instance, the man responsible for the tragic deaths of Hannah Clarke and her children had a history of threatening suicide prior to the incident.
Responding to these complex situations poses challenges for law enforcement. In a recent study, Victoria Police officers expressed concerns that prioritizing suicide prevention in cases of family violence could leave victims without adequate protection.
The overlap between mental health issues and family violence presents a complex legal and healthcare landscape, with varying laws across different states and territories.
2024-06-15 13:15:03
Article from phys.org