In the lead‑up to our event Child-Centred Practice after Fatal Family Violence, we asked research assistant and lived experience advocate Kathryn Joy to introduce the Family Homicide Peer Network. Members of this group have contributed their experience, expertise, and leadership within the network, and the many ways people are shaping conversations about fatal family violence. These resources will be shared on our new Spotlight Page, which will be launched at the Centre’s upcoming event on 31st March.
The Family Homicide Peer Network is an informal collective of victim-survivors who have lost a family member due to fatal family violence, or who care for children who have lost a parent to domestic homicide.
We say fatal family violence to include other deaths in the context of family violence that are not deemed homicides (e.g. suicides).
We emerged from a participatory research project through the University of Melbourne, in which young people and adults with lived experience of losing a parent to intimate partner homicide as children, were interviewed by the research team (including a member of the team who is a person with lived/living experience). The interviewees were also caregivers, and professionals who worked closely with these children.
The Network is a supportive, diverse group of adults of all ages, who acknowledge the life-long impacts of fatal family violence, and the need for support at different stages of life. We currently offer opportunities to connect with others who have experienced the devastating loss of a family member (including chosen family) to fatal family violence. We run an informal monthly online meet-up for anyone who has lost family to fatal family violence, or who cares for someone who has lost a loved one to fatal family violence. We may also be able to offer opportunities to collaborate on research initiatives and advocacy efforts.
Our intention is to be able to offer more support and connection for children and young people, and are open to discussions of how we can support children and young people through our network.
For those with lived experience who want to connect with the Family Homicide Peer Network, please email: homicidepeernetwork@gmail.com
For other enquiries or collaborations regarding the Family Homicide Peer Network, please contact Kathryn.joy@unimelb.edu.au
Hosted by the Centre, our event on 31st March, bring together researchers, people with lived-experience, practitioners and advocates for the launch of our new Spotlight Page, an online hub that brings this work together in one accessible place, so practitioners can respond with confidence and services can push for system change.
Resources will include
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