PRESS RELEASE: Australia fails women on domestic violence and homicide: Mackenzie’s story

The savage murder of Mackenzie (Max) Anderson, 21, at her Newcastle city unit on Friday evening 25 March, highlights the significant danger to women and children who experience the trauma of domestic and family violence. Former partner Tyrone Thompson, 22, has been charged with Mackenzie’s murder. He had reportedly stabbed Mackenzie more than 20 times before stomping on her head.

Mackenzie’s toddler son, was reportedly found hiding in a cupboard covered in his mother’s blood. Bleeding profusely, it seems she had ensured her son’s safety, before hugging him one last time. Mackenzie died outside her unit soon after Police arrived, in response to her 000 emergency call about Thompson’s break-in at her home.

Thompson was originally serving a 10-month sentence with a five-month non-parole period for stalking, intimidating, assault and malicious damage against Mackenzie. Allegedly, he had regularly threatened to kill her, attempted to choke her out and then denied his abuse.

Following Thompson’s successful appeal of his sentence, on March 9 he was released on parole after completing four months and two weeks in prison. Upon his release he then contacted Mackenzie. Indeed, Thompson had a history of breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) that was in place to protect her. Days prior to Mackenzie’s death, she had reportedly called Police advising them that Thompson was harassing her and acting weird.

Counting Dead Women Australia, report at least one women in Australia is killed each week to violence, often by their current or former partner. Tragically, these deaths are the tip of Australia’s domestic and family violence iceberg.

The fourth National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, found one in three Australian women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15 and almost one in five have experienced sexual violence. The financial cost to Australia of domestic violence and sexual assault of women is $13.6 billion annually and is likely to increase.

As a Clinical Psychologist working in trauma informed care, I make the following evidentiary comments, which given Thompson’s upcoming trial should not be assumed to relate to either him or Miss Anderson.

Women and children are most at risk from assailants who have a violent history and complex mental health, including psychotic spectrum conditions, disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders, such as anti-social personality, oppositional defiance and intermittent explosivity. Problematic alcohol and substance use can further increase the risk of domestic violence.

Convicted violent offenders must receive a comprehensive psychiatric assessment, with any diagnoses agreed upon clinically. Their mental health must be stable well before their prison release and closely managed when they are in the community. Compliance should include regular mandated reporting to Police, compliance with prescribed psychological, psychiatric and psychotropic treatment, and wearing an ankle bracelet where appropriate.

Unfortunately, many Australians in regional, rural and remote communities are unable to locate a Psychiatrist or afford the Medicare gap payment to ensure adequate treatment, and can experience wait times of over 12 months. A human mental health crisis, conveniently hidden from view.

Politicians fail to understand the lethality of violent offenders. Their policy response to domestic violence is inept. For there are those who walk among us who are physically and psychologically dangerous, irrespective of their captivating persona. Offenders’ behaviour can change suddenly, dramatically and inexplicably for those who are uninitiated.

Implementation of a nationally coordinated best practice plan across all levels of government and community is urgently required. We have long known about the solutions. The question is why Australians do not require their politicians to deliver a world leading response to combating domestic and family violence? Something to consider when casting one’s vote at the upcoming federal election.

If you or anyone you know needs help regarding domestic and family violence, then call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Dr Michael Walton, Clinical Psychologist, Newcastle, New South Wales