Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of domestic homicide, which some readers may find distressing
Fourteen women and three children having been killed this year alone in domestic violence attacks.
And one in four Australian women have experienced domestic violence.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, both men and women are more likely to experience violence by a known person than a stranger, and nearly three million Australians have experienced violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15.
Intimate partner violence is defined as behaviour within a current or previous intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm.
Although intimate partner violence has affected millions of Australians, the 2021 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey found that 25 per cent of respondents believed that women who do not leave their abusive partners are partially responsible for the violence continuing.
Domestic violence victim-survivor, Annamiek van Steensel has described the abuse she experienced from her partner to be a toxic cycle she struggled to escape.
“I hadn’t accepted myself that I was in an abusive relationship and my abuser had completely rewired my brain to make me believe that his behaviour was normal,” she said.
“He was totally and utterly in control of every aspect of my life, and he had isolated me from my family, friends and support networks.
“He was a master manipulator, and so good at making me believe I deserved what he was doing to me.”
Miss van Steensel’s story mirrors that of millions of others who have experienced intimate partner violence, and for a growing number of women, this abuse ends in their death.
Data derived from the Homicide Monitoring Program report has indicated a surge in intimate partner homicides, with a steady increase commencing from 2021.
There were 55 incidents of intimate partner homicide in 2023-2024, which constituted a fifth (21 per cent) of all homicide incidents within the country, according to the report.
84 per cent of victims were women.
Miss van Steensel said that there were times when she believed she would die at the hands of her partner.
“He made me believe I needed him, that my whole being revolved around him and he would threaten to kill himself if I left,” she said.
“He would also threaten to kill me and my loved ones.
“There was a moment when he had his arms around my throat and I remember thinking, ‘this is it, this is how I die,’ and I was at peace with that as I would finally be free.”
Of the 46 women killed by their partners last year, the highest number of deaths occurred in New South Wales and Western Australia, followed closely by Queensland.
In response to the ongoing impact of family and domestic violence across Australia, the Labor Government has outlined several measures aimed at supporting victim-survivors.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a social media post last month that the government will continue to invest in recovery centres for women and children, as well as implement paid family and domestic violence leave.
“Ending violence against women must be a national priority – and under our government, it is,” Mr Albanese said.
“We know there’s more to do, and we’ll keep fighting for a future free from violence.”
However, the government has faced significant backlash from groups who have claimed there is a lack of action in delivering adequate long-term solutions for the gender-based violence.
What Were You Wearing? is a not-for-profit, Indigenous, youth-led organisation that has demanded the government do better.
Education team leader for NSW, Soutara Potter helped organise last month’s National Rally Against Violence in Wollongong.
Miss Potter said that the protest was a cry for the government to invest in primary prevention, mandate trauma-informed training for first responders and reform bail laws.
“We wanted to come together in a safe space and march for change in memory of those women, and all the others before them, who were killed by domestic, family and sexual violence,” she said.
Miss Potter said that not only do victim-survivors need support, but they also need to the government to focus on education to dismantle narratives and focus on the bigger picture issue of men’s behaviour.
“The biggest thing is yes, they need our support, but I think it’s also about educating the community on what can be done, like if you’re an immediate friend or family, understanding what safe avenues there are to get people out of these situations is so important,” she said.
“This stereotypical masculinity makes them [men] think it’s okay but it’s not.
“It sends shivers down my spine when I think about the behaviour of some men that think it’s acceptable.”
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Through a combination of education and protests, Miss Potter has hope that the voices of women can be heard, and lives can be saved.
“The more people that join us, the more people actually take notice,” she said.
“Like the domino effect, if you have one person doing something you’re probably not going to get very far unless you get really lucky.
“But the more people that get involved and get behind it, it’s that ripple effect that give the visibility to make a difference.”
Miss van Steensel has attended various protests to end gender-based violence and said they make her feel inspired and empowered by giving her the opportunity to use her voice.
“I feel an overwhelming sense of community and belonging marching with fellow survivors and advocates,” she said.
“I’m finally at a point in my healing journey where I feel comfortable being loud and advocating for change.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, support is available:
1800RESPECT – National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service
Men’s Referral Service – Support for men using violence or seeking help 1300 766 491 | www.ntv.org.au
13 Yarn – A dedicated service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.13 92 76 | https://www.13yarn.org.au/
