Townsville is mourning the violent deaths of three women in two months

A silent vigil has been held in north Queensland for three women who have died in violent circumstances in Townsville and Palm Island since September.

Two of the women, aged 39 and 41, died after allegedly being attacked by men they knew following separate domestic violence incidents in September and October.

The third woman was found at her home in the Townsville suburb of Garbutt on November 4, while police were still searching for the people involved.

A group of women hold protest signs against domestic violence — As the group stood in silence, protest signs were set up. (ABC North Qld: Cameron Simmons)

Relatives gathered along the city’s boulevard on Friday afternoon, with about 30 supporters holding red roses and signs calling for an end to violence against women.

Among those at the vigil was Nikki Ball, who works at a women’s legal service in Townsville.

“There were a few ladies here who must have had quite an experience because they were quite emotional,” she said.

“It’s obviously very raw, especially with some of the more recent events that have happened here in Townsville. I think everyone is shocked every time something like this happens.”

Skye Morris, domestic violence manager at DVNQ, said the red rose rally was organized to mourn the women lost to violence.

A woman with a somber expression in front of a painting — Skye Morris says the deaths of three women in the past two months have shocked the community. (ABC North Qld: Georgia Loney)

“We hold these gatherings to come together as a community to remember, pay respect and protest, and to raise awareness of the crisis our country and our community is currently facing, in the context of domestic and family violence” , she said.

“As we know, domestic and family violence does not discriminate. It is felt across the country, around the world, and is certainly felt in our community.”

Women stand with signs of protest — About 1,500 applications for a domestic violence order were made in Townsville last year. (ABC North Qld: Cameron Simmons)

Townsville detectives are still investigating the death of a 47-year-old woman found in a Garbutt unit on November 4 and believe she had been dead for several days before the alarm was raised.

In October, a 41-year-old woman died three days after being attacked at her home in the Townsville suburb of Vincent.

Her partner was charged with serious bodily harm (domestic violence).

A month earlier, a 39-year-old woman died from injuries sustained in an attack on nearby Palm Island.

Power of support

Ms Ball said the group met quietly with the collective aim of recognizing the seriousness of domestic violence.

About 1,500 applications for a domestic violence order (DVO) were made in Townsville last year.

“The majority of our clients experience domestic abuse,” says Ms Ball.

“It’s a gender issue.”

The hands of an elderly woman hold a red rose — People held red roses in memory of the women who died from violence. (ABC North Qld: Cameron Simmons)

A total of 53,000 DVOs were conducted in Queensland during 2023-2024, of which 82 percent were to protect a woman, and 14 percent were to protect First Nations people.

Ms Ball said leaving a relationship was one of the most difficult and dangerous times for a woman.

“That’s why it’s so important to get that support early,” she said.

Ms Ball said effective community education is needed for domestic violence victims caught in the justice system.

“Knowing that they have support services available to them, and attorney services on duty, and can access them, and that they’re getting the right information from whatever service provider,” she said.