Latest news with #NationalRallyAgainstViolence
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Perth Now
DV abusers to be kicked out of homes
Domestic violence victims will no longer have to flee their homes as a new protection program rolling out across NSW will focus on fortifying their properties and forcing their abusers to move out. The program empowers local police to remove the perpetrator from the home, while victim-survivors receive necessary support. Security upgrades for their home to ensure victims safety, financial advice, safety planning and legal help are all services provided to impacted families. The government will extend the Staying Home Leaving Violence over four years to all 128 LGAs in the state, with an investment of $25.9m. The program has already supported 6,500 victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, 1293 of which were children subjected to abuse. Twelve new providers have now been contracted to roll out statewide services to facilitate the program, in city hubs such as the Northern Beaches and regional areas such as the Snowy Mountains. Minister Jodie Harrison has announced a $25.9 million roll out to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence program in New South Wales. Credit: News Corp Australia 'Too often victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are forced to leave their homes in order to escape abuse,' NSW Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Minister Jodie Harrison said. 'Staying Home Leaving Violence helps the victim-survivor to stay safely in their own home, or a home of their choice and to keep important connections in their own community. 'This program aims to support women to live in safety and to maintain housing stability. 'Keeping women and children connected to their families, support network, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods is so important for their recovery. 'People should not be forced to abandon those connections to escape a violent situation.' This comes as protesters are gearing up across the nation to demand action on violence against women. 24 women have allegedly been killed by violence in 2025 already, spurring grassroot organisation What Were You Wearing to organise the 'No More: National Rally Against Violence' action. The protests will urge governments to address violence against women and prevent future incidents. The Minns announced a $48 million roll out of the SHLV program following a young woman's alleged murder just last year. Jason Edwards / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The SHLV expansion comes after a previous additional $48 million rollout announced by Premier Chris Minns following the alleged murder of Molly Ticehurst last year. 'Everyone should be able to feel safe in their own home, but all too often for many that is not the case,' he said. 'When that right has been taken away from someone, this program is about supporting them in feeling safe in their homes again, or alternative, safe accommodation. 'Too many lives have been lost and too many families have been broken because of domestic and family violence. It is a blight in our communities, and it is a problem that deserves our government's concerted attention.'
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Emerald's legacy: how a mourning family is fighting to help other victims
Emerald Wardle was the type of person who would give her last $5 to someone in need. "She was beautiful, inside and out, and she would do anything for anybody," her aunt Kristy Smith said. Emerald's life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims. Ms Smith is co-hosting the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle on Saturday, where participants will march from Newcastle Museum to Newcastle Foreshore. Ms Smith will share Emerald's story at the event, and also speak about her family's push for legislative change after being devastated by the justice system. Miller was convicted of murdering Emerald by a jury in June 2022 and sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 years. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2024 after it was found Miller was suffering a first episode of psychosis arising from schizophrenia, which was not caused solely by using drugs. The court entered a verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible. Ms Smith said her family "tried to do everything by the book, everything the DDP and Victims Services told us to do", but were left heartbroken. "As a family we chose to keep the matter private, to allow the justice system to do what it needed to do and not have us as a hindrance to them," she said. "I think that was a mistake because we sat quiet as Emerald was allowed to not be seen as a person. "Emerald was always referred to as 'the deceased'." Ms Smith said her family was made aware that Miller had been moved to a mental health hospital. She said they then found out through social media that Miller was allowed day leave and was active on social media and dating sites. "We were absolutely devastated," Ms Smith said. "I had no words to describe that feeling to know that he was out there and essentially with young women." Emerald's family pushed for legislative changes to stop this happening, and in November 2024 the NSW Parliament passed a bill to strengthen oversight of forensic patients, who are people that have committed crimes but were determined by a court to have a mental health or cognitive impairment. The changes mean judicial officers must be involved in decisions regarding forensic patient leave, other than escorted leave, and conditions can be imposed to restrict or prohibit forensic patient's access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release. Ms Smith said knowing Miller could be fully released was a horrifying thought for her family. "I will never be the same," she said. "We can't move on with our lives because we have to plan and get our kids ready that he may be released." Forensic patients are periodically reviewed for decisions about care, treatment, detention, leave and release based on expert advice, including any conditions imposed. If Miller or his clinical team applied for release, the clinical team would provide their view which must be supported by a third party clinical assessment, before a decision is made about whether Miller poses a risk. A NSW Health spokesperson said they could not comment on individual patients who are receiving care, but extended "our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends". Ms Smith is pushing for ankle bracelet monitoring of forensic patients on day leave and full release. "This is a small amount of people we're talking about," she said. "It's not the mental health population. It is for forensic mental health. We wanted them to be grouped in with domestic violence offenders so if they are on release they have to be monitored." An amendment from Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato to mandate electronic monitoring of forensic patients when released from facilities was not widely supported. Changes to NSW victims registers are also being discussed in parliament, which Ms Smith hoped would improve openness and transparency with victims' families. "As Emerald's aunty I'm actually not entitled to know anything," Ms Smith said. "Everything I get is secondhand information, so hopefully this bill will allow the family to have more of a representative for the family to be able to speak and act on their behalf." Ms Smith said she would continue to fight to prevent what her family has been through from happening to others. "Finding out about Emerald that morning was the worst morning of my life," she said. "Not once in the last four years have Emerald, our family or the community been considered in the decisions that have been made around this case. "When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made." The NSW Health spokesperson said the Specialist Victims Support Service was available to support victims to navigate the forensic mental health system. It can provide information on processes, notify registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient, attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim and address any concerns about forensic mental health system operations. Emerald Wardle was the type of person who would give her last $5 to someone in need. "She was beautiful, inside and out, and she would do anything for anybody," her aunt Kristy Smith said. Emerald's life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims. Ms Smith is co-hosting the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle on Saturday, where participants will march from Newcastle Museum to Newcastle Foreshore. Ms Smith will share Emerald's story at the event, and also speak about her family's push for legislative change after being devastated by the justice system. Miller was convicted of murdering Emerald by a jury in June 2022 and sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 years. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2024 after it was found Miller was suffering a first episode of psychosis arising from schizophrenia, which was not caused solely by using drugs. The court entered a verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible. Ms Smith said her family "tried to do everything by the book, everything the DDP and Victims Services told us to do", but were left heartbroken. "As a family we chose to keep the matter private, to allow the justice system to do what it needed to do and not have us as a hindrance to them," she said. "I think that was a mistake because we sat quiet as Emerald was allowed to not be seen as a person. "Emerald was always referred to as 'the deceased'." Ms Smith said her family was made aware that Miller had been moved to a mental health hospital. She said they then found out through social media that Miller was allowed day leave and was active on social media and dating sites. "We were absolutely devastated," Ms Smith said. "I had no words to describe that feeling to know that he was out there and essentially with young women." Emerald's family pushed for legislative changes to stop this happening, and in November 2024 the NSW Parliament passed a bill to strengthen oversight of forensic patients, who are people that have committed crimes but were determined by a court to have a mental health or cognitive impairment. The changes mean judicial officers must be involved in decisions regarding forensic patient leave, other than escorted leave, and conditions can be imposed to restrict or prohibit forensic patient's access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release. Ms Smith said knowing Miller could be fully released was a horrifying thought for her family. "I will never be the same," she said. "We can't move on with our lives because we have to plan and get our kids ready that he may be released." Forensic patients are periodically reviewed for decisions about care, treatment, detention, leave and release based on expert advice, including any conditions imposed. If Miller or his clinical team applied for release, the clinical team would provide their view which must be supported by a third party clinical assessment, before a decision is made about whether Miller poses a risk. A NSW Health spokesperson said they could not comment on individual patients who are receiving care, but extended "our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends". Ms Smith is pushing for ankle bracelet monitoring of forensic patients on day leave and full release. "This is a small amount of people we're talking about," she said. "It's not the mental health population. It is for forensic mental health. We wanted them to be grouped in with domestic violence offenders so if they are on release they have to be monitored." An amendment from Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato to mandate electronic monitoring of forensic patients when released from facilities was not widely supported. Changes to NSW victims registers are also being discussed in parliament, which Ms Smith hoped would improve openness and transparency with victims' families. "As Emerald's aunty I'm actually not entitled to know anything," Ms Smith said. "Everything I get is secondhand information, so hopefully this bill will allow the family to have more of a representative for the family to be able to speak and act on their behalf." Ms Smith said she would continue to fight to prevent what her family has been through from happening to others. "Finding out about Emerald that morning was the worst morning of my life," she said. "Not once in the last four years have Emerald, our family or the community been considered in the decisions that have been made around this case. "When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made." The NSW Health spokesperson said the Specialist Victims Support Service was available to support victims to navigate the forensic mental health system. It can provide information on processes, notify registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient, attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim and address any concerns about forensic mental health system operations. Emerald Wardle was the type of person who would give her last $5 to someone in need. "She was beautiful, inside and out, and she would do anything for anybody," her aunt Kristy Smith said. Emerald's life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims. Ms Smith is co-hosting the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle on Saturday, where participants will march from Newcastle Museum to Newcastle Foreshore. Ms Smith will share Emerald's story at the event, and also speak about her family's push for legislative change after being devastated by the justice system. Miller was convicted of murdering Emerald by a jury in June 2022 and sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 years. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2024 after it was found Miller was suffering a first episode of psychosis arising from schizophrenia, which was not caused solely by using drugs. The court entered a verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible. Ms Smith said her family "tried to do everything by the book, everything the DDP and Victims Services told us to do", but were left heartbroken. "As a family we chose to keep the matter private, to allow the justice system to do what it needed to do and not have us as a hindrance to them," she said. "I think that was a mistake because we sat quiet as Emerald was allowed to not be seen as a person. "Emerald was always referred to as 'the deceased'." Ms Smith said her family was made aware that Miller had been moved to a mental health hospital. She said they then found out through social media that Miller was allowed day leave and was active on social media and dating sites. "We were absolutely devastated," Ms Smith said. "I had no words to describe that feeling to know that he was out there and essentially with young women." Emerald's family pushed for legislative changes to stop this happening, and in November 2024 the NSW Parliament passed a bill to strengthen oversight of forensic patients, who are people that have committed crimes but were determined by a court to have a mental health or cognitive impairment. The changes mean judicial officers must be involved in decisions regarding forensic patient leave, other than escorted leave, and conditions can be imposed to restrict or prohibit forensic patient's access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release. Ms Smith said knowing Miller could be fully released was a horrifying thought for her family. "I will never be the same," she said. "We can't move on with our lives because we have to plan and get our kids ready that he may be released." Forensic patients are periodically reviewed for decisions about care, treatment, detention, leave and release based on expert advice, including any conditions imposed. If Miller or his clinical team applied for release, the clinical team would provide their view which must be supported by a third party clinical assessment, before a decision is made about whether Miller poses a risk. A NSW Health spokesperson said they could not comment on individual patients who are receiving care, but extended "our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends". Ms Smith is pushing for ankle bracelet monitoring of forensic patients on day leave and full release. "This is a small amount of people we're talking about," she said. "It's not the mental health population. It is for forensic mental health. We wanted them to be grouped in with domestic violence offenders so if they are on release they have to be monitored." An amendment from Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato to mandate electronic monitoring of forensic patients when released from facilities was not widely supported. Changes to NSW victims registers are also being discussed in parliament, which Ms Smith hoped would improve openness and transparency with victims' families. "As Emerald's aunty I'm actually not entitled to know anything," Ms Smith said. "Everything I get is secondhand information, so hopefully this bill will allow the family to have more of a representative for the family to be able to speak and act on their behalf." Ms Smith said she would continue to fight to prevent what her family has been through from happening to others. "Finding out about Emerald that morning was the worst morning of my life," she said. "Not once in the last four years have Emerald, our family or the community been considered in the decisions that have been made around this case. "When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made." The NSW Health spokesperson said the Specialist Victims Support Service was available to support victims to navigate the forensic mental health system. It can provide information on processes, notify registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient, attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim and address any concerns about forensic mental health system operations. Emerald Wardle was the type of person who would give her last $5 to someone in need. "She was beautiful, inside and out, and she would do anything for anybody," her aunt Kristy Smith said. Emerald's life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims. Ms Smith is co-hosting the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle on Saturday, where participants will march from Newcastle Museum to Newcastle Foreshore. Ms Smith will share Emerald's story at the event, and also speak about her family's push for legislative change after being devastated by the justice system. Miller was convicted of murdering Emerald by a jury in June 2022 and sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 years. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2024 after it was found Miller was suffering a first episode of psychosis arising from schizophrenia, which was not caused solely by using drugs. The court entered a verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible. Ms Smith said her family "tried to do everything by the book, everything the DDP and Victims Services told us to do", but were left heartbroken. "As a family we chose to keep the matter private, to allow the justice system to do what it needed to do and not have us as a hindrance to them," she said. "I think that was a mistake because we sat quiet as Emerald was allowed to not be seen as a person. "Emerald was always referred to as 'the deceased'." Ms Smith said her family was made aware that Miller had been moved to a mental health hospital. She said they then found out through social media that Miller was allowed day leave and was active on social media and dating sites. "We were absolutely devastated," Ms Smith said. "I had no words to describe that feeling to know that he was out there and essentially with young women." Emerald's family pushed for legislative changes to stop this happening, and in November 2024 the NSW Parliament passed a bill to strengthen oversight of forensic patients, who are people that have committed crimes but were determined by a court to have a mental health or cognitive impairment. The changes mean judicial officers must be involved in decisions regarding forensic patient leave, other than escorted leave, and conditions can be imposed to restrict or prohibit forensic patient's access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release. Ms Smith said knowing Miller could be fully released was a horrifying thought for her family. "I will never be the same," she said. "We can't move on with our lives because we have to plan and get our kids ready that he may be released." Forensic patients are periodically reviewed for decisions about care, treatment, detention, leave and release based on expert advice, including any conditions imposed. If Miller or his clinical team applied for release, the clinical team would provide their view which must be supported by a third party clinical assessment, before a decision is made about whether Miller poses a risk. A NSW Health spokesperson said they could not comment on individual patients who are receiving care, but extended "our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends". Ms Smith is pushing for ankle bracelet monitoring of forensic patients on day leave and full release. "This is a small amount of people we're talking about," she said. "It's not the mental health population. It is for forensic mental health. We wanted them to be grouped in with domestic violence offenders so if they are on release they have to be monitored." An amendment from Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato to mandate electronic monitoring of forensic patients when released from facilities was not widely supported. Changes to NSW victims registers are also being discussed in parliament, which Ms Smith hoped would improve openness and transparency with victims' families. "As Emerald's aunty I'm actually not entitled to know anything," Ms Smith said. "Everything I get is secondhand information, so hopefully this bill will allow the family to have more of a representative for the family to be able to speak and act on their behalf." Ms Smith said she would continue to fight to prevent what her family has been through from happening to others. "Finding out about Emerald that morning was the worst morning of my life," she said. "Not once in the last four years have Emerald, our family or the community been considered in the decisions that have been made around this case. "When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made." The NSW Health spokesperson said the Specialist Victims Support Service was available to support victims to navigate the forensic mental health system. It can provide information on processes, notify registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient, attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim and address any concerns about forensic mental health system operations.
