The tragic death of Molly Ticehurst has ignited a call for urgent action to strengthen laws protecting women from male violence. Her alleged murderer, Daniel Billings, was released on bail despite being accused of sexually assaulting her, highlighting the glaring inadequacies of the existing legal framework.
This incident underscores the need for drastic changes to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The government must act swiftly to bolster anti-stalking laws that target males, as the current measures have proven ineffective and resulted in fatal consequences.
History has demonstrated that when laws fail, we have a responsibility to amend them. The Port Arthur massacre, one of the darkest moments in our history, was transformed into a catalyst for positive change. We can and must do the same in this case.
Time is of the essence, and inquiries are a mere waste of precious time. The police, under the supervision of the courts, must be empowered to control men accused of these offenses. Reporting conditions and personal trackers are effective means of monitoring their location and behavior. Such restrictions are commonly applied to drug dealers, so there is no reason not to extend them to men who pose a physical risk to women.
The principle of deterrence should guide our criminal law. By informing dangerous men that their movements will be tracked, we can potentially save lives. The government has a duty to protect its citizens, and the rights of individuals should not take precedence over the safety of women.
A cultural change alone is not enough and may take decades to materialize. Now is the time for immediate action to break the cycle of violence and impose change. The death of Molly Ticehurst must not be in vain. We must work together to create a society where women are safe from such senseless acts of violence.
