How to support a loved one in an abusive relationship in Australia — ABC News Australia
In Australia, domestic violence specialists advised friends and relatives to listen carefully to a loved one, not judge them and not pressure them to leave an abusive relationship. ABC News Australia reports this in an article published after the death of Molly Ticehurst, who was fatally stabbed by her former partner Daniel Billings in April 2024.
Earlier this month, Billings was sentenced to 28 years in prison, with a 20-year non-parole period. The deceased woman's friend Gabi Shepherd said she feels guilty for not intervening when she realized Molly was in an abusive relationship.
Violence is not age-dependent
Molly's friend Aidan Clark, who had known her since childhood, said he had not previously considered partner violence to be a problem among young people. At the same time, the Australian Child Maltreatment Study, published in 2021, found that 48% of respondents aged 16 to 24 had experienced psychological, physical or sexual violence by a partner. Among people aged 45 and older, the figure was 40%.
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Domestic Violence NSW deputy chief executive Pia Birak stressed that the first response should be to believe the person, listen carefully without judgment and reassure them that they are not to blame for the violence. Full Stop Australia representative Karen Bevan added that young people's relationships should be taken seriously and that risks should not be downplayed because of their age.
Support without pressure
Experts advise starting a conversation with caring questions about how the loved one is doing and noticing changes in their behavior, including if they have stopped meeting friends. At the same time, it is necessary to respect their decision if they are not ready to talk about the situation.
According to Pia Birak, it is impossible to force a person to leave an abusive relationship. Instead, friends can offer practical help by assisting them in contacting specialized services or a trusted adult. Those who do not know how to act can also seek advice themselves. If a person is in immediate danger, specialists advise calling the Triple Zero emergency number immediately.
