❓ Question on Notice regarding Aboriginal suicide and self-harm in the Kimberley region during 2013-2014, revealing concerning statistics and limitations in data collection for attempted suicides.
AnsweredQoN 4277Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Question on Notice 4089, and I ask: (a) how many Aboriginal deaths by suicide occurred in the Kimberley Region across the calendar years 2013 and 2014; and (b) how many official reports of attempted suicides or acts of self-harm occurred in the Kimberley Region across the calendar years 2013 and 2014?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 August 2015
Responded by
Minister representing the Attorney General
Response time
47 days
(a) The number of reported cases of confirmed/suspected deaths by suicide of Aboriginal persons in the Kimberley Region (comprised of the Broome and Kununurra coronial jurisdictions):
2013 - 10 (one case is yet to be determined as suicide by a Coroner)
2014 - 13 (four cases are yet to be determined as suicide by a Coroner)
(b) The Coroners Court can only provide statistics on the number of confirmed/suspected deaths by suicide for deceased persons.
Note:
The figures above represent the total number of all cases reported to the Coroner's Office as either a confirmed suicide or a suspected suicide for the Kimberley Region as at 31 March 2015. The figures in brackets represent suspected suicide cases that are yet to be determined by a coroner.
The final determination of a finding of suicide can only be made by a coroner after consideration of a detailed investigation report, which may include the deceased's medical history. Of the suicides yet to be determined, investigations are ongoing and a final determination by a coroner has not been made. An initial assessment has been made in relation to the case, which indicates that it is a possible suicide case however that assessment may or may not be confirmed by the completion of the coroner's finding.
These figures have been sourced from the National Coroner's Information System. Information regarding the indigenous origin of an individual is provided by
Western Australia Police, either at the time the death is reported or when the investigation is completed.
2013 - 10 (one case is yet to be determined as suicide by a Coroner)
2014 - 13 (four cases are yet to be determined as suicide by a Coroner)
(b) The Coroners Court can only provide statistics on the number of confirmed/suspected deaths by suicide for deceased persons.
Note:
The figures above represent the total number of all cases reported to the Coroner's Office as either a confirmed suicide or a suspected suicide for the Kimberley Region as at 31 March 2015. The figures in brackets represent suspected suicide cases that are yet to be determined by a coroner.
The final determination of a finding of suicide can only be made by a coroner after consideration of a detailed investigation report, which may include the deceased's medical history. Of the suicides yet to be determined, investigations are ongoing and a final determination by a coroner has not been made. An initial assessment has been made in relation to the case, which indicates that it is a possible suicide case however that assessment may or may not be confirmed by the completion of the coroner's finding.
These figures have been sourced from the National Coroner's Information System. Information regarding the indigenous origin of an individual is provided by
Western Australia Police, either at the time the death is reported or when the investigation is completed.
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