Dani Tillett’s life has been completely derailed since a shocking alleged incident in April which saw her and her seven-year-old daughter hiding in fear of their lives in their own Central Coast home.
The businesswoman runs her own marketing agency, has never experienced domestic violence before and was not in a relationship with the man involved in the incident, which is currently the subject of legal proceedings.
“Three calls to 000 from myself, a neighbour and a second witness – there were over 20 witnesses- and the police never came,” Tillett said.
She said while she had since received an apology from police, the incident had left her shaken and wondering how women who were not as strong as she coped in situations where there was so little support.
After the incident, she turned to long-time friend Jo Cooper, founder of The Good Warrior, who is campaigning for a domestic violence law called Clare’s Law to be introduced in NSW.
Cooper is demanding the NSW Government implement the Law, which she described as a life-saving piece of legislation already working in South Australia and the United Kingdom.
“I have known Jo for a number of years and consider her a close friend and she was the first person I turned to after the incident,” Tillet said.
“While the Law would not have helped me in my situation, I have joined forces to help Jo get Clare’s Law introduced here to help others who experience domestic violence.”
Clare’s Law enables people to confidentially apply to NSW Police to find out if their partner has a known history of violence or abuse.
This is not a public database; instead, concerned individuals can submit a formal application to the police requesting information about a partner’s past.
Police will then assess the situation, including safety risks, legal considerations, and the applicant’s relationship to the individual in question.
If appropriate, they may disclose relevant information in a private and controlled setting to help the person make an informed decision about their safety.
“Clare’s Law is a no-brainer,” Cooper said.
“It gives people the right to know if their partner has a violent history.
“It’s a preventative tool.
“We are in a crisis, yet we’re still stuck in reaction mode, waiting for someone to be killed before we act.
“We can’t live in crisis management forever.
”Every month, more than 2,500 domestic violence incidents are reported to NSW Police, and that is just based on the figures of those brave enough to report.
“Last year, nearly half of all murders in NSW were related to domestic violence.”
Two days before the alleged attack on her, Tillett joined more than a thousand people at Terrigal Beach to honour 19-year-old Audrey Griffin who was murdered on her way home from a night out in Gosford on March 23.
She said that according to recent data the Central Coast currently had the second-highest number of domestic violence Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) in NSW.
The region experienced almost double the per-capita domestic violence-related incidents compared to metropolitan areas, with inner-regional areas like the Central Coast reporting 582 DV-related assaults per 100,000 people versus 342 in major cities.
“Since moving to the Coast, I have helped female friends get out of domestic violence situations, and it’s a daily occurrence on social media community groups of women asking for help,” Tillett said.
“These numbers represent lives at risk in our community right now.
“Clare’s Law would give both men and women on the Central Coast a critical tool to seek information, make safer choices, and hopefully prevent more tragedies.
“That’s why this petition matters so deeply here, and why local support can help save lives.”
Cooper’s petition to introduce Clare’s Law in NSW has just over 1,000 signatures and she is concerned that with just one month left, the campaign hasn’t gained the traction she said it deserved.
She said Clare’s Law was already saving lives in South Australia, where 86% of those who used it had never accessed DV support before.
In the UK, more than 45,000 people used the law last year.
“But in NSW, it’s still not available, despite a national crisis being declared nearly a year ago,” she said.
“I’ve been doing this work for over 20 years.
“The response I got when I was put in hospital by my first boyfriend is the same response survivors are getting today.
“That’s how little has changed.
“This isn’t just for me – it’s for every daughter, every mother, every friend, every person who deserves to feel safe.
“Clare’s Law gives people the right to know before it’s too late.
“Time is running out.
“The petition to bring Clare’s Law to NSW closes on July 22.
“We need 20,000 signatures to force a parliamentary debate.
“If you believe in protecting people before they become another headline, then please sign it today.
“Don’t wait until it’s your daughter, your mate, your partner.”
Sign the petition here: http://bit.ly/3FUPtnW
Denice Barnes
Signed. It always amazes me that laws like these exist with a precedent, yet haven’t been implemented universally
Petition has been signed ! Because enough is enough. Women and young girls deserve to feel safe . Not like we are prey and have to feel unsafe from men.
Law is not the concern in this incident. I feel central coast police’s reactions and actions are concerns. Apology is not enough. The women in question should lodge a complaint. CC police is always so late to respond to people’s call for help.
Let’s get this approved too many domestic violence people are killed each year.
Enough of the abuser being protected it is time to protect the abused.