The family of Molly Ticehurst have made a powerful plea for a new law to be brought in ensuring authorities are aware at all times of the whereabouts of people who are out on bail while facing domestic violence charges.
Daniel Billings, 29, allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst, 28, at the home they used to share in Forbes, 375km west of Sydney, in the early hours of Monday, April 22.
The tradie and amateur boxer was out on bail at the time facing a raft of very serious charges, including raping and stalking Ms Ticehurst.
Her death has sparked a national outcry and prompted NSW Premier Chris Minns to announce that the state government was considering urgent bail reforms.
Now Ms Ticehurst’s family have called for changes to the law to ensure police are alerted if alleged perpetrators breach bail or other court directions.
Daniel Billings, 29, allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst (pictured), 28, at the home they used to share in Forbes, 375km west of Sydney, in the early hours of Monday, April 22
Ms Ticehurst’s family have called for changes to the law to ensure police are alerted if alleged perpetrators breach bail or other court directions
This could take the form of electronic monitoring devices, like ankle tags, which are already used for those on parole.
Family spokesperson Jacinda Acheson said Ms Ticehurst had been let down by the judicial system.
‘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 told the ABC.
‘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.
‘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.’
Phil Donato, state member for Orange, met with Ms Ticehurst’s father on Monday and gave his backing for alleged perpetrators to wear electronic tracking devices.
‘It is already working in the parole space,’ Mr Donato said.
‘There is no reason why it couldn’t be extended also to the protection of victims of domestic violence.
‘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.’
Ms Ticehurst’s family and friends are also calling for people across the country to pay tribute to her on Wednesday night by leaving their lights on.
‘Things happen in the dark. Leave your light on for Molly,’ family spokesperson 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.’
