Trigger warning: This post deals with domestic violence and may be triggering for some readers.
A 51-year-old woman has died following a domestic violence incident in Sydney’s west.
The woman’s de facto partner, 46-year-old Jamie Walker, assaulted the woman, Linda Locke, after they had an argument on Monday morning at their Quakers Hill home.
Neighbours were woken by screaming and banging filling their housing complex before Ms Locke was found about 6am on Monday, according to Fairfax Media.
The ABC reports paramedics found Ms Locke with head trauma, serious facial bruising and a collapsed lung upon arrival.
The woman was taken from the at the Hillcrest Road property to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition. There, hospital staff contacted police, who charged the man with assault occasioning grievous harm.
Police said further charges were likely to be laid following Ms Locke’s death.
This alleged murder brings the number of women killed in alleged circumstances of family or intimate partner violence to 22 this year – a devastating death toll.
Domestic violence is the single greatest killer of woman between the ages of 15 and 44. The number of women killed each week by a partner or family member has almost doubled since last year. The statistics show that every women – regardless of age, class, race or religion – is at risk.
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The following women have also lost their lives in circumstances where they should have felt safe. Some of these matters are still before the courts, meaning their alleged murderers have not yet been convicted:
Domestic violence victims gallery
If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.
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Please do not prejudge matters. Whilst the media is publicising this as a domestic violence related death, it is not at all clear that an assault occurred in this instance. People are entitled to the presumption of innocence, and media reporting is not always unbiased or reliable. That said, domestic violence is abhorrent, and has no place in Australian life.