The daughter of a woman who died in Victoria Police custody says her family will keep fighting to change a system that "completely failed" her mother.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Day, a 55-year-old Yorta Yorta woman, was arrested for being drunk in a public place, put in a cell at Castlemaine police station and fell, later dying in hospital.
Deputy state coroner Caitlin English said Ms Day's death "was clearly preventable had she not been arrested and taken into custody" and recommended the offence of public drunkenness be decriminalised.
She noted the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody made similar recommendations in 1989.
At the time, then-Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings praised Ms Day's family for their commitment to law reform and better support services.
"The courage and determination they have shown to prevent other families from experiencing their pain has been remarkable and truly inspiring," he said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Ms Stevens said the removal of public drunkenness laws remained a priority for her family.
"Had it been done 30 years ago when the royal commission made their recommendations, our mum would still be with us today," she said.
"It is a long road ahead and we understand that there's a lot of work that's happening in the background but we as a family are committed to working to put the pressure on.
"Make sure that positive changes are happening legislatively and other ways to ensure that other Aboriginal families don't have to go through what we've been through."
The deputy state coroner found the monitoring of Ms Day while in custody did not follow police guidelines and observations were cursory.
Ms Day sustained a traumatic head injury within the first hour of her detention.
"She had two physical checks which each lasted six seconds between the time of her fall at 4.51pm and 8.04pm and I was not satisfied she was verbally actively engaged as required on those occasions," Ms English said.
Ms Stevens believed systemic racism influenced the way her mother was treated.
"A system that's there to protect the lives of Victorians completely failed her on that day," she said.
Victoria Police said any death in police care or custody was taken very seriously and acknowledged the loss and suffering experienced by Ms Day's family.
"All coronial findings provide an opportunity for Victoria Police to review its policies and practices to ensure the safe management of people in police care or custody," police said.
"Victoria Police will now take time to review the findings and recommendations and will provide a response in due course."
