Sherele Moody: With 16 Australian women allegedly murdered in five weeks, it’s clear the epidemic of violence is not reducing

At least 16 women were lost to alleged murder in just over a month. Journalist Sherele Moody says woman are being killed every other day but their deaths are met with silence.

As I write, 16 Australian women have had their lives ended in a little over four weeks.

They did not die in car crashes. They did not succumb to cancer or Covid. They were not wiped out by natural disasters.

Indeed, none of these women faded gently into the night. Each was killed by an act of alleged violence.

Some were allegedly stabbed. One was shot. Others were allegedly beaten.

Some were allegedly killed as a result of domestic violence. Others lost their lives to the alleged actions of strangers.

All but one woman died as a result of alleged gendered violence.

These women came from all walks of life. Some were older. Some were Indigenous. Some were from multicultural communities. Some were career women. Some were mums. One was due to have a baby.

No matter their differences, they were all important.

16 women killed in five weeks – that’s three women lost each week on average across our great country.

And yet, what’s that I hear? ... wait ... it’s the sound of silence.

When soccer hooligans invaded the pitch during a game in Melbourne on Saturday night, many leaders stepped forward to blast the violence. And rightly so.

There’s no doubt the actions of these crazed fans needed to be called out.

But having our politicians remain virtually silent as woman after woman loses her life to an act of alleged violence is maddening.

When a woman is being killed every other day in Australia and their deaths are met with nothing but silence, one cannot help but think their lives are worth less than those who play sports.

THE 16 WOMEN KILLED IN FOUR WEEKS ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Lindy Lucena died in Ballina, NSW, in January, 2023.

January 3, 2023: 64-year-old Lindy (Kimmy) Lucena was allegedly killed in Ballina, New South Wales. Her partner is charged with her murder and breaching a domestic violence order.

December 30, 2022: An unnamed 70-year-old woman was allegedly killed in Greendale, New South Wales. The woman’s 41-year-old son has been charged with her murder and breaching an apprehended violence order.

Emma Lovell died in North Lakes, Queensland, in December, 2022. Picture: Facebook

December 26, 2022: 41-year-old mother-of-two Emma Lovell was allegedly stabbed to death at her home in North Lakes, Queensland. Two 17-year-old males are charged with murder and attempted murder.

December 26, 2022: An unnamed 51-year-old woman was found dead in an apartment at Docklands, Victoria. No one is charged.

December 26, 2022: An unnamed 31-year-old woman was allegedly killed in an apartment in Melbourne, Victoria. A man, known to the woman, has been charged with her murder and robbery.

December 20, 2022: A 21-year-old unnamed woman was allegedly killed in Darwin. A female has been charged.

December 18, 2022: 31-year-old teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones died in suspicious circumstances at Cranebrook, NSW. A man is charged with her murder.

Dannielle Finlay-Jones died in Cranebrook, NSW, in December, 2022.

December 18, 2022: 37-year-old Monthana Khantherat died in a home at Albion Park, NSW. A man is charged with her murder.

December 15, 2022: A 24-year-old unnamed woman died after an alleged assault in Perth, Western Australia. The woman’s 27-year-old partner has been charged with unlawful act or omission with intent to harm.

December 15, 2022: 44-year-old April Gela was allegedly stabbed to death at a home in Wellington Street, Mundingburra, Queensland. A relative is charged with her murder.

Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, was one of two Queensland police officers murdered in Wieambilla, Queensland, in December, 2022.

December 12, 2022: 29-year-old Queensland Police Service Constable Rachel McCrow, her colleague Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, and civilian Alan Dare were shot to death at a property in Wains Road, Wieambilla, Queensland. The killers – Nathaniel Train, Gareth Train and Stacey Mary Train – were killed by police shortly afterwards. The camouflage-clad Trains trapped Rachel, Matthew and two of their colleagues, shooting the deceased victims multiple times. One other officer was injured and a fourth officer was able to escape unharmed and make contact with QPS. Alan died after he went to the property to lend a hand following the sighting of smoke and the sound of guns firing.

Lynn Marie Cannon died in Lansdale, WA, in December, 2022.

December 5, 2022: 51-year-old mum-of-two Lynn Cannon was allegedly killed in a home in Hardcastle Ave, Landsdale, Western Australia. Police have charged Lynn’s former partner with murder.

Helen Marsuk was found dead in Fremantle harbour.

December 4, 2022:The body of 25-year-old mother-of-one Helen Jeremy Solomon Marsuk was found in Success Boat Harbour, Capo D’Orlando Drive, South Fremantle, Western Australia. A 21-year-old man has been charged with her murder. He is also charged with wilfully destroying evidence and interfering with a corpse with intent to prevent or prejudice an investigation into circumstances surrounding the death.

Nelomie Perera died in Sandhurst, Victoria, in December, 2022.

December 3, 2022:44-year-old Nelomie Perera was allegedly stabbed to death in her home at Wodalla Circuit, Sandhurst, Victoria. Nelomie’s former partner is charged with her murder.

Diane Miller and her unborn child died in Karawara, WA, in December, 2022.

December 2, 2022:30-year-old mother-of-one Diane Miller and her unborn child died three days after Diane was attacked at Waterford Shopping Centre, Karawara, Western Australia. A 17-year-old boy is charged over her death. Diane suffered head injuries and cardiac arrest after she was allegedly hit with a block of concrete. “She had a wicked attitude, I loved her. We all loved her as one and it’s brought us together,” Diane’s partner told media after she died. “She was one good girl. I loved her with all my love. I will still love her until the day I die.” Diane was five months pregnant and mum to a young son. Her unborn baby could not be saved.

November 30, 2022:An unnamed 51-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death at her home in Northcote, Victoria. The woman’s partner is charged with her murder.

News Corp’s Sherele Moody has multiple journalism excellence awards for her work highlighting violence in Australia. Sherele is also an Our Watch fellow, the founder of The RED HEART Campaign, Australian Femicide Watch, the Australian Femicide & Child Death Map and All That Remains: The Memorial to Women and Children Lost to Violence.

Originally published as Sherele Moody: With 16 Australian women allegedly murdered in five weeks, it’s clear the epidemic of violence is not reducing