Tuesday, 26 November, 2024
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A Filipino community group makes a stand against family violence. (Stewart Chambers: 442544)
One step forward... Dandenong was in shock, so soon after being uplifted by hundred marching against gendered violence last Tuesday 19 November. Domestic violence survivor Simone O’Brien, who was almost beaten to death by her ex-partner in 2012, inspiringly addressed the Walk Against Family Violence. She has since advocated to empower women, survivors and children, as well as working with perpetrators to “make them own it”. “I wanted to have a voice for us woman and children to make change. “We can say ‘no, we can walk around the street - we shouldn’t feel that we can’t.’” However, soon after the event, there was chilling news that showed the fight was far from over. That evening, Victoria Police announced that the body of teenager Isla Bell was found at a Dan-
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denong waste facility. Missing for weeks, police allege Bell was murdered early last month. Her body was kept in a fridge and transported across the South East until dumped with hard rubbish in Bentleigh. Marat Ganiev, 53, of St Kilda, was charged with Bell’s murder, and Eyal Yaffe, 57, of Hampton, charged with assisting an offender with murder. As of August, Counting Dead Women Australia reported 46 women killed by violence from a partner or ex-partner this year. Reported family violence continues to rise in Greater Dandenong, up 5.3 per cent in 2022-’23. O’Brien told the Walk Against Family Violence to look out for “red flags”. “Any little red flag is a big red flag in domestic violence.” More on the stories, turn to pages 4-5
Isla Bell, 19, who was missing for seven weeks before her remains were found at a Dandenong waste facilitiy on 19 November. (Supplied)