A coronial inquest into the death of an Inverell woman in 2021 has issued several recommendations including better training of police officers attending domestic disputes
Michelle Daphne Michell died on the 30th of June 2021 at a Glen Innes Road home after sustaining multiple stab wounds to the abdomen and chest inflicted by estranged husband Neville Michell with the coroner stating there is no rational reason or excuse for Mr Mitchell’s behaviour, adding his actions were deliberate and pre-meditated.
Deputy State Coroner Magistrate Joan Baptie issued seven recommendations including police using previous narratives from the past 12 months when completing a Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool, better training for police officers attending domestic disputes, a consideration given to a pilot of a PACER style co-responder program involving the attendance of Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service officers at domestic violence call outs during daylight hours and methods of improved information transfer and phone calls between police and Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.
In conclusion, Magistrate Baptie stated multi agency co-operation, recurrent funding, resourcing and training must be considered in an attempt to address this domestic violence scourge than is inundating our society, both in cities and regional towns.
