This report presents the findings of the inquiry into the mechanisms for capturing data on the profile and volume of perpetrators of family violence (people using family violence) in Victoria and barriers to achieving a full understanding of this cohort. The report is a call to action for government, researchers, service providers and policymakers to continue to work collaboratively in transforming the way data is collected and used on people who use family violence.

Improving how governments, agencies, relevant sectors and systems capture data on people who use family violence will increase understanding about why people use family violence. Better information about the drivers, behaviours and patterns of people who use family violence can then be used to improve the effectiveness of interventions and prevention strategies. 

The report presents 71 findings and 61 recommendations which are focused around the four parts of the report.

• Part 1: How to move toward a more purposeful approach
  The Committee made nine recommendations to ensure Victoria moves towards a more purposeful approach to capturing data on family violence perpetrators/people who use family violence. These recommendations focus on improving data collection, governance and oversight.
• Part 2: How to improve current data processes
  The Committee made twenty-eight recommendations to the Victorian Government and relevant departments to improve data collection, sharing, and analysis related to people who use family violence. These recommendations focus on strengthening training and resources, standardising data collection practices, enhancing cross-sector collaboration, and improving information-sharing mechanisms.
• Part 3: What do we need to know more about
  The Committee made ten recommendations focused on areas where more knowledge about people using family violence is needed – including areas where there is less understanding. To increase knowledge in these areas, the recommendations target building the family violence data and information that is collected about: sexual violence, technology-facilitated abuse, elder abuse, children and young people, and perpetrator interventions
• Part 4: How to improve our understanding
  The Committee made fourteen recommendations to advance data collection, research and analysis about people who use family violence – including those who are not involved with any part of the family violence service system (like courts and police). These recommendations aim to improve the evidence base for policy and intervention effectiveness, strengthen research partnerships, and support ethical and comprehensive approaches to understanding family violence trajectories.