Disability worker died by suicide before police interview over sexual assault allegations

A Geelong disability worker took his own life after a police officerbreached protocolby telling him authorities wanted to interview him about sexual assault allegations, a coroner has found.

A Geelong disability worker took their own life after finding out they were being investigated by police.

A Geelong disability worker took his own life after a police officerbreached protocolby telling him authorities wanted to interview him about sexual assault allegations, a coroner has found.

The 43-year-old man, referred to as EK in a coroner’s report, worked in the region and provided disability support to families and young people.

A staff member of a community service provider reported an alleged “inappropriate relationship” – between a former employee, EK, and current client, the alleged victim – to Geelong police on March 5, 2019.

The alleged offending was said to have occurred between 2014 and 2017.

On May 29, 2019, a police officer called EK and advised him that he had sexual assault allegations against him.

Three days later he was dead, just minutes before he was due to be interviewed by officers.

However, a coroner has questioned why police called the man instead of questioning him face-to-face.

When investigating alleged sexual offences, Victoria Police have to adhere to the Victoria Police Manual on Sexual Offence Investigations (VPM).

The manual identifies suspects that became aware of investigations are at increased risk of suicide.

It states that members should avoid using phone messages, calling cards or arranging arrest by appointment when interacting with suspects.

Coroner Ingrid Giles said it did not appear the detective adhered to the manual, as they called EK first.

The court heard the officer did not believe it was appropriate to attend EK’s workplace or home because there was no statement of the complainant in possession of the police.

Ms Giles acknowledged that police officers were not clinicians, but said phone calls were not sufficient to comprehensively assess an individual’s welfare or frame of mind.

“Indications that an individual is at risk of suicide or self-harm, such as body language and behavioural shifts, are not conducive to being detected during a telephone call,” she said.

“EK’s decision to take his own life was connected with his fears of the upcoming police interview and potential implications of the same.

“I find that EK suicided as a result of becoming aware of the Victoria Police investigation against him.”

Ms Giles said the actions of the officer did not did not correspond with the best practice process outlined in the VPM.

“However, I cannot find that EK’s death would have been prevented had Victoria Police managed its initial contact with him in a different manner; such a finding would be unduly speculative,” she wrote.

Coroner Giles recommended that the Secretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety, in tandem with the Secretary of the Department of Health, explore the development of a program to support mental health and coping mechanisms with the view to reduce suicidality among Victorians who are under investigation for alleged sexual offences.

The coroner did not direct any recommendations at Victoria Police in this matter.

A spokesman from Victoria Police said the organisation continued to review its policy and practice in relation to all coronial findings, whether arising from an inquest, or coronial findings without inquest, such as this matter.

In a statement provided to the Coroners Court, the Assistant Commissioner for Family Violence Command stated the actions taken by the member met Victoria Police’s expectations regarding suspect welfare.

If you need help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Disability worker died by suicide before police interview over sexual assault allegations