A terrified Perth mother is desperately calling on the WA state government to better protect victims of domestic violence.
Her ex-partner was granted bail four times.
The mother-of-three is a domestic violence survivor who wants her story heard and said she’s speaking out, while she still can.
“I’m at breaking point, I’m beside myself and so exhausted, we need help, our women need help,” the woman, who 9News is not identifying, said.
The 27-year-old left her partner in January last year after what she describes as years of abuse.
“I’ve been dragged across the room with my new born baby in my hands, I’ve been bashed black and blue, I’ve had to sleep at the train station to get away from him,” she said.
She’s still living in fear.
Her ex-partner has been charged with a number of offences, including assault, strangulation and breaching protective bail conditions.
Despite that, she says he continues to be released and has been granted bail four times in just twelve months.
“I think it’s absolutely disturbing you can give a repeat offender for domestic violence a chance to get out and get bail,” she said.
The single mother says she’s now terrified in her own home and her young children are all traumatised.
She says the system has let her down.
“It’s like what happens? Do I have to be dead for something to be done?”
She’s calling on the State Government to take action and keep domestic violence offenders locked up.
“You need to sit down with victims that are still here and hear our side of the story,” she said.
Alison Scott’s sister Jessica was killed by her husband almost five years ago. She’s now an advocate for change.
“There needs to huge increase in funding in these spaces,” Scott said
“Things like GPS tracking which was mentioed in October last year but there’s no money in the budget for that.”
The Attorney General was unavailable to speak with 9News on camera but says WA’s bail laws are among the toughest in the country, with the state government working to tighten legislation to introduce mandatory electronic monitoring as soon as possible.
However Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam said the state is “living through a family and domestic violence crisis.”
“The numbers don’t lie. There have been a 42 per cent increase in family assaults since this government came to office,” Mettam said.
National Domestic Violence Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger call triple zero (000).
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
