Molly Ticehurst's family calls for 'Molly's Law' to monitor alleged domestic violence offenders released on bail
/ By Joanna Woodburn and Hamish ColeFamily and friends of Molly Ticehurst are calling for legislative change to be introduced in her name in New South Wales, which would ensure authorities know at all times the location of people on bail when they are facing domestic violence charges.
A family spokesperson has responded after NSW Premier Chris Minns announced the state government will seek legal advice as to whether urgent law reform is needed in relation to bail laws.
Jacinda Acheson says legislative changes should ensure authorities like police were notified if alleged perpetrators breached bail or other court directions.
"There has to be something put in place that says if you receive bail today, we will know where you are the minute you walk out of there," Ms Acheson said.
"The monitoring devices need to be put in place and it needs to become Molly's Law.
"Molly did everything that she could and, when she finally became brave enough, and let's make that abundantly clear that Molly was brave, very, very brave and courageous, to ask for help, the help was not given," Jacinda Acheson said.
"The judicial system let Molly down; the victim support teams let Molly down.
"In Molly's case the police did everything they could do to keep Molly safe."
State Member for Orange Phil Donato met with the father of Ms Ticehurst on Monday.
Mr Donato said he had spoken with the premier and would be advocating for it to become mandatory for alleged perpetrators of domestic violence crimes to wear electronic tracking devices.
"It is already working in the parole space. There is no reason why it couldn't be extended also to the protection of victims of domestic violence," he said.
"If they were to breach an area they were not meant to go, the authorities or the victim could be alerted as soon as possible."
Calls for increased monitoring
Responding to the Ticehurst family's proposal for increased monitoring, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said on Wednesday "everything is on the table" and that the government would be advised on the idea of ankle bracelets for alleged DV offenders.
"Any measures put in place to assist [alleged] DV victims, we support."
The NSW Nationals have added their support to calls for increased monitoring.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said police had a "seat at the table" and would work with the government on any initiatives.
"Normally electronic monitoring is done by another agency, so if there are any breaches of that we may be notified," she said.
"We'd need to work through [any changes to] that in detail."
Commissioner Webb said victims should not be discouraged from speaking up.
"There are services available to help victims navigate their way," she said.
"It takes some victims many occasions before they come forward, but when they're ready, we're ready."
Lights on for Molly
Ms Ticehurst's family and friends are urging people around Australia to pay tribute to her on Wednesday night by leaving their front lights on.
"Things happen the dark. Leave your light on for Molly," Ms Acheson said.
"Speak their names, don't let them turn into statistics. Tell their stories, not the perpetrator's stories. Relate to them as if they are your daughters, your sisters, your friends."
A special tribute is also being planned on Mother's Day in Forbes.
"There's a walk on Mother's Day. It's a gentle and friendly walk for people to be able to show support to each other, to the family and think and think and reflect on Molly," Ms Acheson said.