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Hundreds mourn Jayda Allen Bonner at Melbourne vigil
A 21-year-old Indigenous woman killed in Carlton is remembered as family and advocates demand action on domestic violence.
In brief
A 21-year-old Indigenous woman killed in Carlton is remembered as family and advocates demand action on domestic violence. Hundreds gathered in Melbourne to remember Jayda Allen Bonner, twenty-one, killed at an inner-suburban apartment, as her family and advocates call for better domestic violence prevention…
Twenty-one-year-old killed in Carlton
Jayda Allen Bonner, a young Indigenous woman, was killed at an inner-suburban apartment complex last weekend. Hundreds gathered in Melbourne to pay tribute to her.
A man charged with murder
A thirty-one-year-old man was charged with murder this week and appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court. Police say he was known to Ms Allen Bonner.
Family remembers her spirit
Ms Allen Bonner's mother Jade Allen said her daughter loved her family fiercely and had a heart of gold. She wore a t-shirt with her daughter's image and the phrase Justice for Jayda.
“Jayda loved her family fiercely. She had a heart of gold, she would do anything for anybody.”
Aunt calls for action on violence
Ms Allen Bonner's aunt Kellie Carter Bell said all Australians need to do more to speak out against violence against women. She said we are living with wars behind our doors.
“We're living with wars behind our doors.”
Family had raised safety concerns
Ms Allen Bonner had made a complaint to police about her safety which she later withdrew. Her family tried to contact police but were told nothing could be done because she was an adult.
Djirra questions police response
Antoinette Braybrook, chief executive of Aboriginal family violence service Djirra, said police have power to investigate violence and initiate intervention orders. She asked why they did not do that.
“They have the power to investigate violence in the home and initiate their own intervention orders and charge people; my question is, why didn't they do that?”
Withdrawn complaints are common
Ms Braybrook said it is not uncommon for women experiencing violence to withdraw complaints even if still in danger. Women may be pressured or threatened by their abusers into doing so.
Police to examine their response
Victoria Police said the death is being investigated by the Homicide Squad. They will thoroughly examine any interactions between police and the victim before her death.
The short version
Hundreds gathered in Melbourne to remember Jayda Allen Bonner, twenty-one, killed at an inner-suburban apartment, as her family and advocates call for better domestic violence prevention.
