Romany Wake wants police, courts and the government to listen and believe domestic violence victims

Domestic violence survivor Romany Wake says the government is brushing “this epidemic of gendered violence under the rug” and wants systematic changes.

Romany Wake‘s mother Rachel was killed by her former partner in 2021. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Believe victims, listen to them, and stand up for them when you notice something isn’t right.”

That’s the message from the 2025 Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year Romany Wake.

Gendered violence remains a major issue in Australia and it’s something Romany has witnessed with great personal impact.

On Christmas Day 2021, Romany was present when her mother Rachel, 52, was murdered by her father. Romany was just 19.

Romany Wake. Her mother Rachel Wake was killed by her former partner in 2021. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

She was sitting in her father's car outside her mother’s home the day Rachel was murdered.

While Romany has worked tirelessly advocating for better protections, working with organisations, police and courts, she wants more done to prevent gendered violence.

“Family violence has been prevalent throughout my entire life, from witnessing family and domestic violence in my home happening to my mum, to experiencing the violence and abuse personally,” Romany said.

“I was present at my mum’s murder in 2021 in a final, horrific act of domestic violence. It has impacted me in so many different ways, from mentally, to emotionally, and even socially, the impacts of the domestic violence that I experience shows up in my everyday life.”

After her mother’s death, Romany was diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Despite this, she still gave a victim impact statement to the courts.

In 2024, Darren Wake, who pleaded guilty to the murder of Rachel Wake, was sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Rachel Wake who was murdered on Christmas Day 2021. Picture: supplied by the family

Evidence showed how the man had called in sick to work, then resigned, had ordered a weapon online and paid bills up to December 25.

Ms Wake says 26 years wasn’t enough for the man who took away her mother.

“My abuser, and my mum’s murderer has only gotten 26 years in prison,” she said.

“In no way is 26 years enough of a sentence for murder.”

During sentencing, according to public court documents, Justice Helen Wood pointed out the horrific nature of the crime.

“This is a particularly serious example of the crime of murder,” she had said at the time.

We’re just pushed aside

Romany Wake. Her mother Rachel Wake was killed by her former partner in 2021. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Romany is frustrated over a lack of care from services in Tasmania and has lived experience of her mother trying to get help.

“At this stage, there is barely any prevention for gendered violence in Tasmania, and I am hearing through messages and by speaking to victim survivors, and witnessing my mum trying to get support, that they were unable to access help due to either not enough resources and being turned away, and/or not being believed,” she said.

Romany wants police, the justice system and the government to firstly listen to survivors and for systematic changes.

“Understand what is needed, and don’t brush this epidemic of gendered violence under the rug,” she said.

“Implement training for first responders and triple-0 operators, and ensure that magistrates and judges take the time to listen, and review all relevant evidence of gendered violence presented before coming to a decision.”

Romany said it felt like a “never-ending roundabout” trying to get support for victims of violence.

“Victims are never listened to, we are brushed off, or told that things ‘are a work in progress’ or something is already in place for a similar issue,” she said.

“It feels like a never-ending roundabout of the government asking for help to make change, then not listening to victims and saying things are already implemented.”

Cultural change is a huge battle in changing issues like gendered violence.

Romany asked people to step up to that challenge.

“Call out people who are making jokes or just generally being inappropriate towards women and children,” she said.

“Believe victims, listen to them, and stand up for them when you notice something isn’t right.”

Originally published as Romany Wake wants police, courts and the government to listen and believe domestic violence victims