Five women have been murdered in Australia in seven days

Five women were murdered in Australia in seven days

five women
Five women in Australia have been violently killed in seven days.

The register maintained by the Counting Dead Women Australia researchers of Destroy The Joint, which records every death due to violence against women in Australia, now sits at 44 for 2019.

We are now in the 39th week of 2019 so the toll is higher than the shocking statistic that on average a woman is killed each week by a current or former partner.

On Saturday afternoon a 32-year old woman, Helena Broadbent, died after falling from a moving car in Victoria during what police describe as ‘an altercation’. She was airlifted to hospital, but died that afternoon. Her unborn baby was delivered by caesarean section, and remains in hospital in a critical condition.

A man known to Helena has been arrested and charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Her brother, Paul Broadbent, told Channel 7 she was five months pregnant and was already a mother to two young girls.

“She was a beautiful, caring mum. She loved those two kids. And she was so looking forward to the new one on the way,” he said.

On September 26, Trudy Dreyer 49 was found alongside her partner Tim Ogle at their Hunter Valley home in Doyles Creek, NSW.

A travel agent contacted police after the couple failed to board a plane for a holiday to South America. Police believe it is a murder/suicide and that Ogle killed Trudy Dreyer before turning the gun on himself. Investigations are ongoing. Dreyer has two teenage children.

On Wednesday, September 25, a 24 year old Selma Adem Ibrahim was found in her Crestmead home near Logan in Queensland. It is reported that her six year old daughter had called an ambulance. Police have charged her partner with murder. She was the mother of two young children.

Last Monday, on September 23, Kim Chau aged 39, was found by police at her home on Sturt Street, Adelaide. Friends had contacted police after Chau failed to turn up for work and missed a planned social function.  Police said she had been stabbed and her body was found in an upstairs living area. After an overnight search, police arrested a 21 year old man, believed to be known to Chau, and charged him with murder.

On Saturday 21 September Police and emergency services in Wagga Wagga found a 25 year old woman, Mhelody Bruno, injured and unresponsive. She died shortly after 10am on Sunday 22 September. That afternoon an unnamed 31 year old man was arrested and charged with manslaughter.

https://twitter.com/tobyvue/status/1177545323637424128?s=20

All of these women have names. They ought to have all had their lives in front of them. They were loved and had families and friends and workplaces and communities. Three of them have children.

The tragedy isn’t just that five women have lost their lives to monstrous violence. It’s that these violent acts will also shatter the lives of so many others who knew and loved them. Where does the damage end? It’s hard to imagine it ever will.

Their names are Helena Broadbent, Trudy Dreyer, Selma Adem Ibrahim, Kim Chau and Mhelody Bruno.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT. For counselling, advice and support for men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues, call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491

×

Stay Smart! Get Savvy!

Get Women’s Agenda in your inbox