The recent deaths of two women and two girls in four days have once again sparked calls for action against domestic and family violence in Australia. This tragic cycle of violence and the subsequent hand-wringing and calls for a royal commission are all too familiar. But what makes this situation particularly concerning is the apparent lack of real change, despite the wealth of knowledge and recommendations available. As Katherine Berney, a policy expert on gender-based violence, points out, the issue is not a lack of knowledge or recommendations, but rather an implementation gap. The national council to reduce violence against women and their children titled their landmark blueprint for reform 'time for action' 17 years ago, but the cycle of outrage and fatigue continues. The complexity of domestic and family violence makes it difficult for governments to implement lasting and effective reforms. Dr Emma Buxton-Namisnyk questions whether government responses to tragedies are performative, focusing more on managing public concern than effecting real change. The deaths of Lavanya Chappa, Jana Armstrong, Layla Jeffery, and a 17-year-old Yolngu girl highlight the ongoing crisis, but the lack of sustained investment and commitment from governments is a major obstacle to progress. In Queensland, the alleged domestic violence murder of Jana Armstrong comes after the state cut tens of millions in funding and resources for its domestic violence response. The government's apparent abandonment of critical recommendations from a state taskforce on women's safety is a stark reminder of the need for more than just crisis response. As Betty Taylor, a former member of the Queensland domestic and family violence 'death review' advisory board, puts it, 'We've got to listen to dead women'. The lack of consistent reporting of data, a government-backed database tracking homicides, and ongoing monitoring of national progress is a major barrier to progress. The cycle of violence and the subsequent calls for action must be broken, and the implementation of effective reforms must be prioritized. From my perspective, the situation is a stark reminder of the need for sustained investment and commitment from governments to address the complex issue of domestic and family violence. The deaths of these women and girls are a tragedy that must not be in vain, and the time for action is now.
