Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has said violence against women is the “number one law and order issue” in Australia and that women are “fed up” with the high rates of domestic and family violence.
At a press conference in Melbourne on Thursday, Allan said her government is working on a plan to address it and would be announcing further details in the coming weeks.
“We know that on average one woman in every nine days is killed by someone who is known to them – a current or former partner,” Allan said.
“This level of violence against women is not just unacceptable. It has to stop and women and the broader community are calling for it to stop. Women are fed up, they’re frustrated, they’re angry.
“Not just women who are murdered, but women who are seeing repeated acts of violence perpetrated against them. This has to stop.”
Allan’s comments come in the wake of the loss of three women, Samantha Murphy, Rebecca Young and Hannah McGuire, who were killed in and around the regional Victorian town of Ballarat within three months.
Last Friday, a snap rally was held in Ballarat to honour the lives of the three women. Organiser Sissy Austin said that “women are not feeling safe in our town.”
“Women are living on eggshells, living on edge. Putting on the runners and going for a run feels like risk taking behaviour, it is not and we shouldn’t be feeling like this,” Austin said.
“It is not normal for our beautiful bushlands to become known for a place where mens violence is perpetrated on our bodies.”
Meanwhile in NSW, police have said they are looking into whether the offender in the Bondi Junction stabbing attack was specifically targeting women. NSW Police Commissioner noted that five of the six people killed in the attack were women and that most of those in hospital were women.
According to Destroy The Joint’s Counting Dead Women register, 24 women in Australia have been killed by male violence so far in 2024.
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.