“We Must Keep Women Safe When They Seek Help.” - June 2024
It has been a devastating month for our community.
Losing Jennifer and Gretl Petelczyc in such a violent and senseless way has left us reeling. The Bombara family has also been shattered and like you, I am heartbroken for everyone affected.
In times of tragedy, all the threads of community become apparent – we talk through our connections to the people, places and the issues involved. It’s how we process an event like this.
We ask how this could have happened in our community, and how we can stop it happening again.
In the last few weeks, I have been contacted by so many women with lived experience of violence and who feel let down by the system. I have also been speaking with experts across the country to understand what change is needed.
The bottom line is: When women speak up about being in fear of violence, the system must keep them safe. Right now, it’s not always the case.
There is a lot to be done in WA. Family and domestic violence related assaults in WA are nearly double the average in other states.
We need to start by connecting our different systems, so we have a better picture of the risk posed, allocate sufficient resources to support victim-survivors and change the culture across a range of services so we take domestic violence seriously.
In recent weeks, this is what I have been doing to respond to the tragic events in Floreat and to drive reform:
• I met with Ariel Bombara to support her to create some positive change from her family’s devastating experience.
• I met with the Office of Women within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as well as the Federal Attorney-General to better understand what the government can do in this area.
• A parliamentary committee that I sit on has commenced an inquiry into the access and enforcement of restraining orders within the Family Court system.
• I met with key State Government Ministers to understand WA’s System Reform Plan, what they’re doing to manage perpetrator risks and how WA compares to national best practice.
• In Question Time, I asked the Treasurer if further funding will be allocated to community legal centres to support women.
I will keep working to honour the memory of the Petelczycs, and all victims and survivors of family and domestic violence.
Politics is ultimately about making tough decisions that align with our values. I believe it’s time we valued women’s safety. Women should feel safe in their homes and if they don’t, the system must respond.
