Law Report

ABC Australia

Is influencing someone to end their life a crime in Australia?

SEP 22, 202628 MIN

Description

The Victorian government has pledged to implement a raft of reforms around domestic and family violence if it is re-elected in November. One promise is to introduce a new manslaughter offence in cases where a person is found to have taken their own life due to family violence. So, is it currently possible to convict a person of murder or manslaughter if they goad or encourage their partner to die by suicide? This has happened in Britain and the United States. And right now, Adelaide woman Jacinta Ann Drust is facing charges of murder and unlawful killing over the death of her boyfriend Antonio Cavaiuolo. Ms Drust has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She denies the allegations and is entitled to the presumption of innocence.