Ariel Bombara has given a powerful address at a rally against domestic violence, detailing her own traumatic story and speaking about the “utterly unfair, twisted weight” that falls on women when it comes to managing men’s violence.
“What people don’t realise is that the true impact of domestic violence homicides isn’t just a loss of life, it’s the devastation that ripples through families, the quiet aftermath, the survivors’ guilt,” she said.
Bombara is known as the brave woman who first spoke out about violence against women in May 2024, after her father killed two women in Floreat.
Mark James Bombara shot his ex-wife’s best friend, Jennifer Petelczyc, and her 18-year-old daughter, Gretl, in their home before turning the gun on himself.
Days after the murders, Ariel bravely faced the media and opened up about being ignored by police several times after reporting her father’s behaviour as dangerous.
Speaking at Western Australia’s March Against Domestic and Family Violence in Perth on Monday, Bombara said “for the rest of my life, I’ll question every decision I made, from the point of convincing mum to leave because it wasn’t safe, wondering what more I could have done to stop him, knowing two lives were taken instead of my own and my mum’s because I was too good at hiding from him and hating myself for never considering that he would kill other people if he couldn’t find us.”
“It’s a heavy burden women carry, blaming themselves for men’s violence – an utterly unfair, twisted weight we feel because the system doesn’t protect us and puts the onus on women to manage men’s behavior rather than holding perpetrators accountable,” said Bombara.
“We weren’t the ones to pick up that gun, yet we must live the rest of our lives paying for his crimes.”
Calling for change, Bombara says urgent government reform must be implemented in communities, with proper funding going towards domestic violence prevention resources.
“Last year, after a spate of murders, the government developed the WA family and domestic violence system reform plan. So now I’m asking what is being done to implement it,” she said.
“I believe in the reform of our systems, so long as there is a commitment to adequately fund them. I believe that we as a collective have the power to make a real difference, but to do so, we need to believe in victim survivors and their right to be heard and supported.”
“We need to believe in the services and systems that can help victims and have the capacity for change in perpetrators. I hope you’ll join me in this fight, not just for me, but for all of us because violence against women and children is everyone’s problem.”
Back in May, Bombara’s initial statement on the situation created waves of conversation around law enforcement’s response to domestic violence in Australia. Bombara had called for systemic change to protect women saying, “What my father did was an act of domestic violence. My mother and I made clear that lives were at risk, and we were repeatedly ignored. Repeatedly failed. Those failures have cost the lives of two incredible women.”
WA Police are awaiting permission from the families at the centre of the double murder to release a report investigating police wrongdoing.
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Monday (25 November), hundreds of people rallied in WA through an event run by the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing. The event was part of the UN’s 16 days of Activism against gendered violence.
The rally brought together the families of victim-survivors, the community, dedicated specialist services, government representatives, and a growing number of corporate supporters to honour the women and children who have been killed due to family and domestic violence and show support to those who still live in constant fear in their own homes.
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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.