A man has been arrested after a 39-year-old woman was fatally stabbed at a home in Vermont in Victoria.
Police were called to a property on Tuesday night to find the woman deceased. The man, also aged 39, was known to the woman according to police. He was arrested at the scene and transported to hospital under police guard.
Victoria Police released a statement saying the man would be interviewed by Homicide Squad detectives and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
According to Sherele Moody’s Australian Femicide Watch, the woman is the 36th Australian woman killed so far in 2026 and we are only just past the halfway mark. Last year, 79 Australian women were killed.
It comes amid a number of family and domestic violence murders in recent weeks, including that of 23-year-old Mallorie Jane Roberts who was allegedly shot dead by her male partner last week. The young mother is remembered by her family and friends as someone who had a “beautiful heart” and “kind spirit”.
Also this week, the New South Wales government announced it would launch an independent review into the case of a four-year-old boy who was allegedly murdered by his mother at a home on the Central Coast.
On Monday, NSW Minister for Communities and Family Kate Washington confirmed the Department of Communities and Justice had received and responded to a number of safety reports relating to the family, the most recent one being 18 months ago.
As the family and domestic crisis escalates across the country, advocates say governments are not going far enough when it comes to the urgency of their response and funding. Sherele Moody is calling on the federal government to hold a royal commission into the killing of women and girls, noting Australia has lost more than 1300 women and girls to acts of violence since 2000. Moody’s petition has nearly reached 120,000 signatures.
In its recent state budget, the NSW government promised a 50 per cent increase in funding for six key frontline domestic and family violence programs.The $184.1 million investment comes as frontline services repeatedly issued calls for funding increases to help stabilise the under-funded sector.
In Victoria’s budget, delivered earlier this year, the government committed $100 million to fund refuges, crisis accommodation, the Personal Safety Initiative, and $23 million to maintain the Central Information Point that shares perpetrator information between agencies.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au or text 0458 737 732.
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 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.
In an emergency, call 000.