In the first 114 days of 2024, a total of 26 women have tragically lost their lives to violence in Australia. This alarming rate, equivalent to one woman being killed every 4.38 days, has been described as a crisis by the Prime Minister. The community is demanding an end to this violence, with Patty Kinnersly, the chief executive of national violence prevention organization Our Watch, emphasizing the urgent need to stop the killing of women at the hands of men. The shocking figures include the deaths of five women who were stabbed to death by Joel Cauchi at a Bondi shopping center on April 13.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb has stated that it was evident to her and her detectives that Cauchi targeted women in his killing spree. Tania Farha, the chief executive of Victoria’s peak body for specialist family violence services, Safe and Equal, has labeled the escalating rate of women being killed by men as a national crisis. She noted that her group, along with other women’s safety organizations, had previously written to the Albanese government in 2023 to elevate the issue to national cabinet status after 64 women were violently killed that year.
Farha emphasized the need for action at every level of government and expressed concern about the potentially higher numbers of women who are murdered or missing but are not accounted for in official statistics due to a lack of proper counting mechanisms. The Facebook page Counting Dead Women Australia, which is maintained by volunteers using verified police reports, is recognized as the most accurate tally of women killed by violence in the country. Respect Victoria’s acting chief executive, Serina McDuff, highlighted the importance of men recognizing violence against women as a men’s issue and urged the community to treat it as a systemic problem.
McDuff emphasized that men who use violence against women are not monsters but are often individuals within our communities or even our own relatives. She stressed the need for a shift in the narrative around violence against women and for greater public discussion and action on the issue. The message is clear that violence against women is a serious societal issue that requires collective responsibility and action from all members of the community. For those affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, or family violence, the national support service 1800RESPECT is available to provide assistance and support.
The ongoing tragedies of women losing their lives to violence highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated action to address the root causes of violence against women. The continued loss of lives and the devastating impact on families and communities serve as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing and investing in prevention and support services. It is essential for individuals, communities, and governments to work together to create a culture of respect, equality, and safety for all, with a focus on preventing and addressing violence against women in all its forms.
