Molly Ticehurst, a 28-year-old mother and childcare worker, was found dead in her regional New South Wales home on Monday.
Police reached the Forbes home just after 2am on Monday morning after concerns about Molly’s welfare were raised.
The man charged with her murder is 29-year-old Daniel Billings, Molly’s former partner, who according to court documents was on bail for a string of violent charges at the time of the alleged murder.
Molly is allegedly the 30th woman to be murdered in Australia this year, according to research by the Australian Femicide Watch.
Central West Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Jason Darcy confirmed that Molly had previously had some “form of domestic relationship,” with Billings.
Billings was later found at a property in Fifield, around 100km away from Molly’s home in Forbes. He was arrested and charged with murder (DV), as well as a breach of an apprehended violence order (AVO).
It was revealed in court and police have confirmed that at the time of the alleged murder, Billings was on bail for charges including rape, stalking and intimidation of the same victim. He had also been charged with a count of animal cruelty against Molly’s dachshund puppy.
Despite these charges, Billings was still granted bail by a registrar on conditions that included he report to the local police station everyday.
Police alleged that Billings murdered Molly 15 days later
Molly’s father, Mr Ticehurst has criticised the decision to let Billings out on bail.
“Someone’s got to be responsible,” Mr Ticehurst told 9News.
Molly’s alleged murder comes a little over a week since five women and one man were stabbed to death by 40-year-old Joel Cauchi in Sydney’s Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre.
This month also saw the community of Ballarat mourn the deaths of three women, Rebecca Young, Samantha Murphy and Hannah McGuire, who were all allegedly murdered by men within two months of each other.
In the wake of Molly’s alleged murder, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the nation’s horrific rates of gender-based violence.
“We all have a responsibility to do what we can to address what is a scourge of violence against women,” Mr Albanese told the ABC.
“The fact that more than one woman per week has died at the hands of someone that they know, whether it’s a partner or someone in a relationship, is just completely unacceptable.
“Men and boys have to clearly have discussions about these issues. There’s a need to show respect to women and it is just horrifying the fact that overnight we have heard of this latest incident which adds to the pain that is out there.”
Independent Senator David Pocock has also called on men to step up.
“This is framed as a women’s issue but clearly, this is first and foremost a men’s issue,” Senator Pocock said.
“This is the way that boys, young men are thinking about women and we have a huge cultural issue here that we need to tackle. This is going to take far more than some extra funding.
“It’s deeply, deeply troubling. I would love to see more action from the government and I think government at all levels, but ultimately, this is up to all of us to be having these conversations and shifting things.”
This time last year, 18 women had been murdered. This year, that number is already up to 30.
White Ribbon Australia has estimated that these figures equal to one woman per week.
Melissa Perry, Chief Executive of White Ribbon Australia, believes that these statistics indicate a “national crisis.”
“We need to mobilise as a nation to say this is simply unacceptable and won’t be tolerated any longer,” Perry said.
“Greater investment is needed across all areas of the family domestic violence and abuse sector.
“This includes primary prevention strategies and education campaigns to stop violence before it starts, behaviour change programs for men who have chosen to use violence, and victim-survivor support services.”
The reality is that Molly Ticehurst did everything in her power to protect herself and the system still failed her.
Something has to change.
If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe set up by Molly’s family, you can do so here.
If this article has raised 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.
