An expert has warned Australian women who live in regional Australia have ‘nowhere to hide’ amid the country’s domestic violence epidemic.
Domestic Violence NSW senior policy officer Doctor Bridget Mottram said victims who live in regional areas have limited options and are ‘completely vulnerable’ when trying to escape domestic violence.
Her comment comes as tens of thousands of Australians marched around the country over the weekend calling for an end to violence against women.
Twenty-six women were allegedly killed in Australia at the hands of their partners or former partners so far this year – 12 more than during the same period in 2023.
This month alone there has been a wave of women killed allegedly at the hands of men including Molly Ticehurst, 28, Emma Bates, 49, Erica Hays, 30, and the appalling Bondi Junction stabbing attack which claimed the lives of five women.
More than a dozen ‘No More: National Rally Against Gender Based Violence’demonstrations were held across Australia on Saturday and Sunday.
The rallies, organised by advocacy group, ‘What Were You Wearing’, are calling on the government to take action against domestic violence.
Molly Ticehurst, 28, (pictured) was allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Billings, 29, inside her home in Forbes, 370km west of SydneyPolice will allege Billings traveled to Forbes with the intent to kill Ms Ticehurst despite being the subject of an AVO
Two in five women in Australia, or about 40 per cent, have experienced violence since the age of 15, according to Domestic Violence NSW data.
Men are more likely to be the perpetrators of abuse and violence, with women suffering higher chances of being hospitalised compared to when a woman is the offender.
Experts claim women who live in regional NSW are ‘sitting ducks’ and face significantly more barriers when trying to escape an abusive partner than those who live in the city.
Domestic Violence NSW senior policy officer Doctor Bridget Mottram said the death of Ms Ticehurst highlighted the risks women face while living in regional areas.
Dr Mottram said emergency accommodaiton was ‘grossly lacking’ in regional Australia.
‘It’s that inability to hide in regional, rural, and remote areas, to get away, to get help, get out of danger to have time to think,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.
‘In country towns, there is often one bus out of town a day, and everyone knows who gets on and who gets off.’
Dr Mottram added emergency accomodation, which is at the core of a victim’s safety, must be taken into consideration when a court rules on bail conditions.
About 21 per cent of women living outside of a capital city experiences domestic violence compare
Women who live outside of capital cities are at a 21 per cent higher risk of domestic violence compared to 15 per cent of women living in the city, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey.
Women who live in rural and regional areas are geographically isolated which means they are also affected during natural disasters and are often unable to access appropriate resources.
In comparison, there are a vast number of support services that are widely available to women who live in Sydney.
A 35-year-old man has been charged with the murder of mother-of-four Erica Hays (pictured) after her body was found in a house fire in Warnbro, Perth
Emma Bates, 49, was found in her home at Cobram on the Victorian-NSW border. Her next-door neighbour John Torney faced court facing assault charges over her death
Women in Sydney who are experiencing domestic violence can easily access the support in a safe manner while planning their escape.
Another barrier facing women who live in remote or rural areas is the access to police.
In small towns the nearest police station could potentially be hundreds of kilometres away.
Dr Mottram added long term and affordable housing in NSW regional communities was at a crisis point, as social housing and safe dwellings for victims was limited.
In 2021, 9,000 women were homeless as a result of domestic and family violence.
According to the equity economics report, 7600 women and their children returned to live with the perpetrator because they had to choose between being homeless or an abuse partner.
Dr Mottram said regional domestic violence workers have ‘cried out for support and funding’ but have gone unanswered.
She added urgent government funding is needed to tackle the lack of infrastructure for domestic violence victims in regional areas.
‘We are in a national emergency, and we need to respond as such. We need significant and sustained investment if we are going to shift the dial and save lives,’ Dr Mottram said.
Domestic Violence NSW has more than 150 member organisations across the state specialised in domestic and family violence services.
The peak body has called on the state government to increase its funding by $852,000 per year.
It has also lobbied for a 20 per cent rise to domestic and family violence services nationwide and a state government commitment of $40million for prevention.
Domestic violence is estimated to cost the Australian economy $25billion.
The mother of 21-year old Mackenzie Anderson who was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend claimed women in regional areas are often ‘ostracised’ for reporting domestic violence.
Ms Anderson was allegedly stabbed more than 80 times, had her head stomped on and was left to die on the lawn at her unit on Crebert Street in Mayfield, Newcastle, at 10.40pm on March 25, 2022.
Her two-year-old son was found nearby, unharmed but covered in his mother’s blood.
Her ex-boyfriend Tyrone Thompson was arrested for assault just one day after he was released from jail following a domestic violence offences against Ms Anderson.
Thompson was granted bail. Two weeks later, police allege he murdered Ms Anderson.
Ms Anderson’s mum Tabitha Acret said women in rural towns are ostracised if they speak out against their attackers.
‘Women are often faced with coming forward and hearing: ‘Oh, he seems really nice’ and then they retreat,’ Ms Acret said.
‘It’s magnified in regional and rural towns where there is an even bigger stigma and often these people hurting their partners are well known in the community and the woman in need of help risks being ostracised if they are brave enough to speak out against someone popular.’
Domestic Violence NSW senior policy officer Doctor Bridget Mottram women in regional areas are more ‘completely vulnerable’, more at risk and have limited options and are ‘completely vulnerable’ when trying to escape domestic violence
The wave of women killed at the hands of their current and former partners has prompted a total of 15 anti violence against women protest across the country
Tens of thousands gathered to march in ‘No More: National Rally Against Gender Based Violence’ across Australia’s capital cities and regional towns
Thompson pleaded not guilty to murdering his ex-girlfriend and will face trial next year.
The body of teaching assistant Molly Ticehurst, 28, was found inside a home in Forbes, 370km west of Sydney, just before 2am on April 22.
Daniel Billings, 29, was charged with her murder with court documents revealing he was on bail at the time for stalking, sexual assault and harassment charges.
Billings was given conditional release after he was arrested on April 5, just 15 days before allegedly murdering Ms Ticehurst.
Police will allege Billings traveled to Forbes with the intent to kill Ms Ticehurst despite being the subject of an AVO and forbidden to visit the area.
Just 36 hours later, the body of Emma Bates, 49, was found in her home at Cobram on the Victorian-NSW border.
Her next-door neighbour John Torney fronted court on Friday and faces assault charges over her death.
A 35-year-old man was also charged with murder after the body of a mother-of-four was discovered in a house fire in Warnbro, Perth, on Friday.
The body of Erica Hay, 30, was discovered in a rear bedroom of the home on Currie Street.
Police allege the 35-year-old man assaulted Ms Hay prior to 1am at the home where they both lived, before setting the house alight and fleeing the scene.
If you or someone you know has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for 24 hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line.
Mensline Australia 1300 789 978 Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties. 24/7 telephone and online support an information service for Australian men. Call 1300 789 978 for help.
If this article has raised any issues for you, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 for confidential support 24/7.
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