How dangerous is Australia for women? By Frances Mao

BBC News, Sydney Published duration 22 January 2019 Related Topics Murder of Eurydice Dixon

image copyright Aya Maasarwe / Instagram image caption Aya Maasarwe was killed after getting off a tram in Melbourne last week

In the past week, Australians have been shocked by the killing of a young woman who had been walking home at night in Melbourne.

The death of Israeli Arab student Aya Maasarwe, 21, has sparked an outcry and fresh debate about violence against women in Australia.

According to her family, Ms Maasarwe's belief that Australia was "safer" than other places was one reason she had opted for a university exchange there.

Her killing follows several high-profile murders in Australia in recent times which have caused similar anger.

What the statistics say

Almost one in three Australian women have experienced physical violence, and nearly one in five have endured sexual violence, according to the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures

The rates are even higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

image copyright EPA image caption A sign left among public tributes to Aya Maasarwe

Almost one in 10 women have experienced violence from a stranger, the statistics show.

Domestic violence is more common. On average, one woman per week is murdered in Australia by a current or former male partner.

"Violence against women is at its most extreme in murder, but it is more common that women are injured either physically or emotionally in their own home," said Associate Prof Ruth Phillips, a social work expert from the University of Sydney.

"It is a serious problem. Not a crisis, but more of an ongoing gender power problem in Australian culture."

What has happened in recent years?

High-profile murders involving women and children have elevated the issue on the national agenda.

image copyright FACEBOOK image caption Comedian Eurydice Dixon was murdered in Melbourne last June

"Sometimes, violence against women comes in a cluster together which alerts us to the problem, but really the hidden epidemic of abuse and violence is always with us," said Associate Prof Kelsey Hegarty, a family violence researcher from the University of Melbourne.

One leading public voice has been Rosie Batty, who emerged as a powerful campaigner against domestic violence after her son, Luke, was killed by his father in 2014.

The death of Aya Maasarwe last week has again triggered deep concern.

Where does Australia sit globally?

The UN has said violence against women in Australia is "disturbingly common" , but experts say it is not an outlier among developed nations.

According to the UN, women in Africa and the Americas are more likely to be killed by their partner than women in Oceania.

Among G20 nations, Australia ranks eighth for rates of domestic violence against women , according to the OECD, although data for five countries was not available.

What needs to be done?

In 2012, the Australian government launched a dedicated anti-violence policy, the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children.

However, Associate Prof Phillips said many frontline services, such as women's shelters, had not improved since then.

"There has been little evidence of a reduction in violence or a strengthening in women's safety," she told the BBC.

Experts have urged more focus on reducing broader disrespect towards women.