Phillip Island community want more women’s support services after Samantha Fraser’s death

FAMILY and friends of murdered Phillip Island mother Samantha Fraser have vowed her death will not be in vain, with the local community calling for more women’s support services, claiming local police are not adequately trained to deal with domestic violence complaints.

FAMILY and friends of murdered Phillip Island mother Samantha Fraser have vowed her death will not be in vain, as the community banded together to support her parents, sister and children left reeling from the loss of a woman they say was “loved by all”.

Samantha’s father Trevor met with the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins yesterday while calls grew louder for a women’s refuge and more training for police dealing with victim’s complaints on the island.

Murdered mother Samantha Fraser.

Mr Fraser addressed a community vigil to call for justice for his daughter after her body was found in the garage of her Cowes home on July 23.

Her estranged husband Adrian Basham was on Thursday charged with her murder.

The 41-year-old was already facing nine charges for seriously assaulting Samantha while they were married.

With the alleged killer now in custody, loved ones said the focus must shift to ensuring authorities learn from any failures so that other victims are protected.

Local women — among them social workers and domestic violence victims — told Ms Hutchins local police were not adequately trained to deal with complaints of family violence.

Victims would travel away from Phillip Island as far as Wonthaggi or Dandenong because they did not feel locally supported, they said.

Ms Hutchins said she would raise the concerns with the Minister for Police, Lisa Neville.

She said the government had so far built four of 19 “safety hubs” across Victoria, with the next to be built 140km away at Morwell.

Trevor Fraser, father of murdered woman Samantha Fraser at a vigil in Cowes. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Volunteers Erin Woodham and Alice Bradley wrap a tree with a white ribbon on Thompson Ave, Cowes. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Flowers and tributes laid at the Cultural Centre in Cowes, Phillip Island, for murder victim Samantha Fraser. Picture: Alex Coppel

Local Alex Andrews pays his respects at a memorial in Cowes. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ms Hutchins said she could investigate what funding could be committed to helping other assistance more locally, and would continue to consult council and the community.

“The safety hubs, I think, are going to be a real game changer,” she said.

“They provide these services that you’re looking for (legal, psychological, and linked to police) in one spot.”

Outside the meeting, locals united to sew white ribbons and a patchwork quilt decorated with messages to be given to Samantha’s three children.

“We have to keep these stories going, too — the ones showing the community support and love,” Rebecca McIntosh said.

“We don’t want to allow this to happen again in our community or in any community.”

Preparations are underway for a funeral service to be held at the end of the week and the local council will meet tomorrow to begin planning for a fundraising event to raise money for the children who have been left without both parents.

Meanwhile, campaigners hoped ribbons tied to trees, shopfronts and even dog collars would keep women’s safety on the agenda.

Hundreds of people a day have been visiting a floral memorial site in Thompson Ave where they paused to reflect on the devastating death.

While laying chrysanthemums — the flower traditionally given on Mother’s Day — local couple Julie Dusting and Alex Andrews said they hoped there would be more conversations on women’s safety happening around kitchen tables and in parliament.

“There should be male leaders getting up and talking about it, too, it shouldn’t just be left up to the women,” Mr Andrews said.

“Not enough is being done — it’s got to stop.”