Between the 3rd and 12th of October eight women were killed violently. Eight women in ten days. Six of them were killed within just seven days.

The toll stands at approx. 55 Australian women that have been murdered in 2018.

At least 12 children have been murdered this year too.

Erana Nahu was 43 when she died of stab wounds.

Jacqueline Francis was 50 and was unable to be revived after being stabbed.

An unnamed 29 year old woman was found deceased at her home in Palmerston.

Dannyll Goodsell was discovered after firefighters and police were called to a fire at her home in Ballarat.

Kristie Powell, 39, suffered various injuries and was found by police in her NSW home, with her five-month old baby daughter unharmed.

Gayle Potter, a 46 year old mother of three, was run over and killed at a private property in Victoria.

The body of Nicole Cartwright, 32, was found in Sydney. An unnamed 22 year old woman was found dead in Queensland.

In seven of these eight deaths the individual charged for the crime was known to the victim. In most of these cases it was the woman’s home where deadly danger struck.

“For the past ten days, we woke up nearly every morning, to a new and horrific incident of a woman dying at the hands of a man that is known to her,” White Ribbon Australia’s CEO, Tracy McLeod Howe tells the Women’s Agenda.

“If this were any other incident involving mass deaths, immediate action would be taken to ensure no more lives were stolen. If this was terrorism, our troops would gather into action, if this was a health outbreak, our health system would be on high alert; we can no longer sit back and watch it happen.”

“Our police force responds to approximately 5000 domestic violence matters every week, that’s a call every two minutes. Our frontline crisis services are at breaking point and are underfunded. We have the data, we know how to solve this problem, and at this point everyone needs to stand up and hold disrespect, abuse and violence against women and children in all its forms to account, without exception.”

Sadly shark attacks and strawberry-tampering has attracted much more attention, funding and action from our governments than a spate of violent deaths.

Taryn Tottman was another victim last month. Her and her three children were murdered in their home. Her story made page 7 of the local newspaper.

One outraged Facebook user shared, “If this woman, her children and her mother had died at the hands of a terrorist it would be front page and international news, instead it is on page 7, and a piece about horse racing is on the front page of the Weekend Australian. They were beaten to death by her ex and only made page 7. Imagine their terror. This is absolutely disgraceful.

“It’s time for Australia to be enraged about this crisis.

“It’s time for the media to take this issue seriously, and to consistently give it the air time it deserves.

“It’s time for law enforcement and the legal system to start punishing those that committ these heinous crimes appropriately.”

White Ribbon Australia’s CEO, Tracy McLeod Howe says, “As a community we must join together to end men’s violence against women and children in our society. Our voices are so much louder when we stand together,”

“I urge individuals, workplaces, schools and the broader community to host an event, march or simply have a conversation with their mate about respect because we know violence thrives in disrespect. If we do nothing, nothing will change.”

We need to make a change!

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for advice or support. This free service providing confidential advice is open 24/7.

In an emergency, call the police on 000. All incidents of violence should be reported to the police.

For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14

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