Molly Ticehurst's Murder Exposes Critical Failings in Domestic Violence System
The death of Molly Ticehurst, who was stabbed to death by her former partner Daniel Billings on April 21, 2024, in Forbes, NSW, has raised profound questions about the safety net meant to protect domestic violence victims. In the weeks before her murder, Ticehurst sought help from police—yet Billings was granted bail on April 6, 2024.
A key government program, Staying Home Leaving Violence, had promised Ticehurst essential security upgrades, including lights, cameras, and window screens. The work was to be carried out by contractor Housing Plus. Those upgrades were never completed before her death.
"Women are still being killed in their own homes. That is the most basic test of whether a system works, and right now the system is failing."
— Stewart Little, PSA general secretary
The Public Service Association (PSA) argues that family violence services should be delivered as a core government function, not outsourced to third parties. PSA general secretary Stewart Little delivered a sharp critique: "When safety is outsourced, accountability is outsourced."
In contrast, NSW Treasury secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter pointed to a government-run centre—the Western Sydney Nepean Blue Mountains Domestic Violence Service—as the "gold standard" for how services should operate.
The PSA is also calling for dedicated family violence courts and behavioral programs for alleged offenders on remand.
Little dismissed suggestions that the union's push is partly motivated by potential membership increases, calling such skepticism "rubbish." Housing Plus declined to comment on the matter.
Background
- The NSW Cabinet Office investigated the security upgrade failure, but the results have not been publicly released.
- The Staying Home Leaving Violence scheme received an additional $48 million in funding for expansion.
- The PSA estimates about 3,300 people work directly in specialist domestic and family violence support in NSW, with nearly 90% being women.
- There are approximately 38,000 recorded domestic violence-related assaults per year in the state.