Improving the Detection and Management of Non-Fatal Strangulation in Tasmania
Tracks
Ballroom 3: In-Person Only
| Wednesday, November 25, 2026 |
| 11:10 AM - 11:40 AM |
Overview
Chantal Roddy, Mindset Neuropsychology
Three Key Learnings
1. Increase audience awareness of the current state of NFS care, using Tasmania as a case example, and the importance of recognising NFS as a standalone indicator of lethality
2. Model to the audience the proposed cycle of systems change, from awareness of systems gaps to proposed implementation
3. Invite the audience to consider ideas for cross-sector collaboration to improve the standard of NFS recognition and clinical care to promote women’s safety
Speaker
Dr Chantal Roddy
Clinical Neuropsychologist
Mindset Neuropsychology
Improving the Detection and Management of Non-Fatal Strangulation in Tasmania
Presentation Overview
Non-Fatal Strangulation (NFS) is a significant standalone predictor of serious harm or homicide in domestic violence. The prevalence of NFS is difficult to capture due to inconsistent identification, under-reporting and lack of NFS knowledge. The lack of visible injury signs in many NFS cases also precludes clear identification of mechanisms of injury and associated reporting. Despite NFS becoming a specific criminal offence in 2022 in Tasmania, NFS remains poorly understood and its prevalence underestimated. This leaves women who have sustained NFS without a pathway for consistent, well-integrated care across systems, including screening, psychoeducation, and clinical / forensic documentation. There is no standardised statewide protocol to detect or manage NFS, which has created fragmented and siloed care pathways between systems and sustained high lethality risk for women. The current presentation reflects the results of a working group initiated and supported by Engender Equality to develop a proposed statewide integrated care pathway for NFS in Tasmania. The pathway seeks to bring together service responses across police, ambulance, accident and emergency, and General Practitioners to try to improve recognition of NFS and standardise screening and clinical care approaches. The suite of resources developed includes clinical care checklists, clinical guidelines, and proposals for future service funding. The suite draws from existing protocols and adapts these for the Tasmanian context. This presentation will reflect on the process of developing the pathway and consider next steps for implementation in Tasmania.
Biography
Dr Chantal Roddy is a Clinical Neuropsychologist, academic, educator and domestic violence lived experience advocate. Chantal has practiced neuropsychology in Tasmania over the past 8 years across public and private health and disability sectors. Her practice focus is evolving to prioritise violence- and trauma-informed assessment and explore opportunities for service provision to women and children affected by domestic violence. She is currently involved in ongoing cross-sector collaborations to promote better understanding of non-fatal strangulation in Tasmania.