Violent relationships

Today the news again featured a story about a violent relationship – this time, the most tragic of circumstances when a 33 year old mother of four was stabbed to death by her partner in front of one of their children on a busy suburban street in broad daylight.

According to media reports the woman had been at Sunshine Magistrates Court in relation to violent behaviour by her partner, she then went to a nearby women’s refuge and then to her solicitors office. After leaving her solicitors office her partner approached her and stabbed her fatally in the chest.

Victorian Police have confirmed that there was a restraining order protecting the woman from the man and he had a history of domestic violence against her.  

But today is not a one-off. Over the past few months many tragic stories of domestic violence have made the news-headlines.

 

In February Simon Gittnay was sentenced to 18 years in prison having been earlier convicted of murdering his girlfriend Lisa Harnum by throwing her from the balcony of their 15^th floor inner-city apartment – in what the Judge described as a “fit of rage”.

 

On the same day that Simon Gittnay was convicted of the murder of Ms Harnum, 41 year old Keeli Dutton, a mother of three, was stabbed to death in her apartment. According to media reports NSW Police believe that Ms Dutton was killed by her partner David Murray.

 

One month later, in December 2013, Marika Ninness, a 35 year old mother of three died – allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend, Ross Merrick. Apparently, Mr Merrick punched Ms Ninness in the face during a fight – she died two weeks later from serious head injuries.

These are just some of the stories that make the headlines. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology (2005-2006 statistics) more than one person is killed every week in Australia by a current or former partner.

Undoubtedly, these stories of domestic violence can have a significant impact on someone contemplating leaving a violent partner. Marking that decision is difficult enough but in the context of a history of physical violence, economic control, social restriction, emotional violence or verbal abuse where you are worried about the possible behaviour of your partner to the news of the separation, making that decision is even harder.  

But the cases that make the headlines serve as a reminder to all of us that practice in family law to promote the help that is available for people living in situations of domestic violence – and in particular those facing situations of urgency.

Numerous organisations are available to provide emergency assistance – including:

Centrelink – which can assist by providing financial assistance in a crisis – 136 150

Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800 656 463

Housing NSW Temporary Accommodation – 1800 152 152

Lifeline – 13 11 14

National Family Violence and Sexual Assault Counselling Service - 1800 737 732

 

 

 

Information in relaiton to the individual cases for this post was obtained form the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers.