Police say there was nothing they had “failed to do” to prevent the alleged murder of 31-year-old Khouloud Hawatt, who was found dead at a home in Sydney’s south-west.
NSW Police charged Khouloud’s estranged husband, 35-year-old Talaat Hawatt, with murder, contravening an apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO) and other charges overnight. He was refused bail and is expected to face Campbelltown Local Court today for his alleged crimes.
Authorities received a concern-for-welfare call at about 7:50am on Wednesday morning. Police responded promptly, arriving at the property in Belmore about eight minutes later.
After forcing entry, police discovered Khouloud’s body, and what Superintendent Sheridan Waldau has described as a “very violent murder scene”.
Shortly after, Talaat Hawatt was arrested by Campbelltown Police.
Superintendent Waldau said police were aware of Talaat and the ADVO against him as a result of Operation Amarok, a police operation for domestic violence perpetrators. However, police had only had “minimal interaction” with the alleged murderer in recent months.
“He has come under the notice of Amarok before, and he had a compliance check by Campsie police in August,” Superintendent Waldau said. “Everything was complied with at that time.
“At this stage, there is nothing that Campsie police have failed to do, or NSW Police have failed to do, that we can see in any of the matters that we’ve had to do with him.”
According to Superintendent Waldau, police spoke with Talaat on Monday in relation to an incident between the 35-year-old and a teacher at a school.
Although Talaat has a history of weapons offences, no weapons were seized by police at the scene.
Along with his murder charge, Talaat will face court today for contravening an apprehended domestic violence order, using a prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order and failing to comply with digital evidence access order direction.
‘Not just a problem for police’
According to Sherele Moody’s Australian Femicide Watch, Khouloud Hawatt is the 98th woman killed in Australia this year. She was a mother of five children.
Domestic violence and intimate partner violence is a national crisis in Australia. It’s estimated that, in 2021-22, one in six women had experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous cohabiting partner since the age of 15, according to statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. What’s more, one third of homicides in NSW are domestic violence related, the NSW coroner revealed earlier this year.
According to DVNSW, police receive about 2,500 reports of domestic violence every month, but due to underreporting, this number represents only about 40 per cent of actual incidents of domestic and family violence.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Superintendent Waldau said domestic and family violence is a problem for the whole of community to solve.
“It’s very difficult to enforce these things if they don’t get reported, and that’s the biggest thing with domestic violence, it’s that the victims don’t come forward,” she said.
“It’s not just a problem for police, it is a problem for the community.”
“And really, the family members and friends of these people, we need to encourage them to report to us, because we can’t help them if they don’t ask for help.”
“There are no winners in any of these home matters, there are children with no parents now.”
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.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.