‘Don’t feel safe’: Women confront nightmare
Anger has exploded in one state over the scale of male violence striking at women after a spate of shocking alleged domestic violence murders in the space of just one week.
Emma Pollard, gathering with hundreds of people on the steps of South Australian parliament on Friday to demand a state royal commission into domestic violence, said it had been a “disgusting” week.
“It has really hit home. Four women in one week. We don’t feel safe,” she said.
Ms Pollard, a survivor of domestic violence, said “something needs to change”.
“I don’t know what they can do, but something has got to change because what is happening now isn’t working,” she said.
On Thursday, police discovered the body of alleged wife killer Kevin Jewell near Curramulka on the Yorke Peninsula after a two-day manhunt for the 55-year-old man.
It’s thought Mr Jewell murdered his wife Jodie with a gun before running off.
Police revealed Ms Jewell had confided to a friend that she was a victim of domestic abuse and the police discovered her body after a friend became concerned for her welfare.
Friends of Ms Jewell have also revealed she planned to leave Mr Jewell and start life over with their 16-year-old daughter.
Ms Jewell’s death is the fourth alleged domestic violence murder to hit South Australia in days.
On Tuesday, a 50-year-old man was arrested for the alleged murder of a 44-year-old woman in the Adelaide suburb of Felixstow on November 15.
Last Thursday in Davenport, Port Augusta, police allege Michael Amos, 53, murdered his former partner.
On Sunday night, police allege Morphett Vale man Clifford Neumann murdered a 39-year-old woman, who was known to Mr Neumann.
Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Katrine Hildyard, speaking at the rally, said she was “utterly devastated” by the violence and confirmed the government would consider a royal commission after Premier Peter Malinauskas’ return from parental leave.
“We need men to stop hurting women,” she said.
Greens member Tammy Franks spoke and said her party would back a royal commission.
Rallygoers stood for a minute’s silence to remember the women hit by domestic violence.
Alex and Kim offer legal support services to women who are domestic violence survivors and both said they backed a commission.
“As women we are feeling it, as mothers we are feeling it. It’s chilling. We don’t know how to express it in any other words,” Alex said.
“I have children, I have daughters, all of our clients have experienced DV or sexual assault,” Kim said.
“I’m just here because I want a better future for our children and women.”
Victoria pursued a royal commission into Family Violence in 2016 and the investigation delivered 227 recommendations, including to establish specialist family violence courts and increase the amount of crisis and emergency accommodation.
