Imagine losing your daughter to violence, only for her killer to walk free after a shockingly short sentence. This is the heartbreaking reality for one Australian mother, who is now campaigning tirelessly for systemic change. Her fight reveals a hidden crisis of femicide in Australia and challenges how justice is truly served. What more will it take to stop the violence?
The tragic case of Alicia Little stands as a harrowing testament to the pervasive crisis of femicide in Australia, a deeply rooted issue challenging the nation’s commitment to women’s safety and justice. Her mother, Lee Little, has emerged as a relentless advocate, transforming her profound grief into a powerful call for systemic reform, determined to be the voice for countless women silenced by violence.
In December 2017, just moments after a desperate call to her mother and then to emergency services, Alicia Little, a 41-year-old mother of two, was brutally killed by her partner, Charles Evans. This final, fatal act followed a disturbing pattern of domestic violence, where Alicia, despite repeatedly attempting to leave, was drawn back by Evans’s promises of change, highlighting the complex and insidious cycle of abuse.
The subsequent judicial outcome for Alicia’s killer sparked widespread outrage and disbelief. Charles Evans served a mere two years and eight months in jail for what many considered an act of domestic homicide, yet was only convicted on lesser motoring offences. This glaring discrepancy underscores a critical flaw in the justice system, where the true nature of gender-based violence is often obscured in official statistics.
Activists, led by figures like Sherele Moody of The Red Heart Campaign, argue that Australia is grappling with a hidden epidemic of femicide – the targeted killing of women by men. Moody’s meticulously documented research reveals a staggering 136 killings of women between January 2024 and June of the same year, with a horrifying 96 percent perpetrated by men, predominantly intimate partners.
A dangerous societal misconception persists, often fuelled by sensational media coverage of stranger killings, that violence against women primarily originates from unknown assailants. However, data starkly contradicts this, showing that only about 10 percent of female victims are killed by strangers, exposing a false sense of security regarding the actual perpetrators of violence.
The historical and cultural landscape of Australia also plays a significant role in perpetuating hyper-masculine ideals, contributing to the current crisis. Furthermore, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women face disproportionately higher risks of family violence and intimate partner homicide, highlighting intersectional vulnerabilities that demand urgent attention and culturally sensitive interventions.
Media reporting frequently exacerbates the problem by focusing on victims’ personal lives or graphic details, rather than scrutinizing the actions of perpetrators or the systemic issues at play. This victim-blaming narrative, as powerfully articulated by the mother of another victim, Isla, deflects accountability and entrenches a pervasive toxic culture, further hindering progress in women’s safety.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Australian government, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has pledged a significant investment of 4 billion Australian dollars towards the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. While commendable, activists like Lee Little contend that these efforts are insufficient, particularly when justice, in cases like her daughter’s, remains elusive and “gut-wrenching.”
Driven by her personal tragedy and the desire to protect others, Lee Little is now spearheading a national petition for a domestic violence database. Such a database would provide crucial public transparency regarding perpetrators’ prior convictions, empowering women with vital information to prevent them from entering potentially abusive relationships and holding individuals accountable within the justice system.
