We need more resources to reach people at risk of family violence earlier: women and children experiencing abuse, and perpetrators who need to be held accountable

Last week alone, four women were allegedly killed by male violence in Australia. Two of these tragedies occurred in Victoria, and two of the victims were teenagers. Every single one of them should still be alive today.

These are not isolated tragedies. This year, nine women have died in Victoria, while across Australia, 37 women* have allegedly been killed by men. Shockingly, 17 children have died as a result of violence in 2026 – the youngest victim was an eight-week-old baby. With a woman dying on average every 11 days in Australia in 2024-25, we are left feeling that we are in a crisis we cannot escape.