Cleary family calls for registry of dangerous offenders
FAMILY of Vicki Cleary, whose death at the hands of her ex sparked changes in a law that allowed men to blame women for violent attacks, are calling for a public registry of dangerous offenders.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FAMILY of Vicki Cleary, whose death at the hands of her ex sparked changes in a law that allowed men to blame women for violent attacks, are calling for a public registry of dangerous offenders.
It comes as Vicki’s brother, former VFL player and politician Phil Cleary, has asked footy fans to get behind a VFL match today raising awareness of violence against women.
Vicki’s other brother, Paul Cleary, said the 1987 stabbing death of his sister still haunted him every day as he agonised over what could have been done to prevent the violence.
PHIL CLEARY HONOURS SISTER IN MATCH AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DATA REVEALS COST OF FAMILY ABUSE
CASH INJECTION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION
“If family members had access to information about the man that came into our lives, my sister’s life, we would still have my sister,” he said.
“The bloke was in our midst and we didn’t even know (his history of violence).
“If you know, you would react differently, you’d do things differently.”
Vicki’s killer, Peter Raymond Keogh, was found not guilty of murder, and was instead jailed on the lesser charge of manslaughter under the Provocation Law, which allowed him to blame her for making him lash out.
Keogh’s life of violence had included the rape of a child, arson and an attack on police.
But Vicki and the Cleary family were in the dark about the criminal history.
Keogh committed suicide in 2001.
Paul Cleary called on the state government to make offender’s histories public for victims and their families.
“Everybody has a right to know who is coming into their family,” he said.
Phil Cleary was a champion player for Coburg when his sister, 25, died, and has since used his platform in football to shine a spotlight on violence against women.
He also helped highlight flaws in the justice system, including the Provocation Law, which has since been abolished.
Coburg and Collingwood VFL sides meet at Coburg City Oval today for Vicki Cleary Day.
“It’s a chance to remind people that the greatest danger women face is the man in their life,” Phil Cleary said.