A woman in the Northern Territory has died in hospital from injuries she sustained from an alleged domestic violence attack earlier this month, police have said.
On July 11, a 36-year-old woman contacted emergency services alleging she was attacked by a former partner in a public place in the remote town of Katherine.
Authorities could not locate her at the scene of the alleged attack but found her the following day at a nearby home. Police said she had sustained blunt force injuries to her head and body, which they believe were not inflicted by a weapon or a vehicle. She was taken to Katherine Hospital, then transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital two days later.
Last week, her condition worsened, and police reported that on Monday evening, the woman died from her injuries sustained from the attack.
Last Friday, police arrested a 45-year-old man in relation to the incident. He is charged with recklessly endangering life and intend serious harm – cause any harm. The man is currently being held in remand and is due to appear before Darwin Local Court on July 31.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jon Beer said NT police are working closely with the Department of Public Prosecutions as they continue the investigation. They are appealing to the public for dash-cam footage, CCTV footage or witness accounts from Railway Terrace in Katherine between 8:30 and 9:30pm on July 11.
“This is a complex investigation and tragically a woman has now lost her life,” Detective Senior Sergeant Beer said.
“We have already spoken to a large number of people but we are still urging anyone with information to contact police… Police are confident that a serious act of domestic violence was committed on the night of 11 July 2024.”
The woman’s alleged murder will be the 45th woman lost to violence this year in Australia. On average, one woman is losing her life every four days to domestic and family violence.
The rate of violence against women has significantly increased in comparison to 2023: this time last year, 27 women had been killed.
In the year 2021-2022, an average of 13 women a day were hospitalised as a result of family and domestic violence, according to statistics from Our Watch.
Women in regional and remote areas of Australia are 24 times more likely to be hospitalised than women in urban areas, according to Rural Health.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
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