Outrage and grief have spurred renewed demands for government intervention following the tragic loss of Audrey Griffin, a young Indigenous woman whose life was cut short.
A powerful demonstration unfolded on the Central Coast today as hundreds gathered along Gosford’s foreshore to protest against violence impacting women. Participants voiced urgent needs for increased funding directed towards vital support services, comprehensive education initiatives and robust advocacy programs.
Police investigations indicate that Audrey Griffin, aged 19, was fatally harmed by Adrian Torrens, an individual with a history of domestic abuse. Sadly, the number of Australian women lost to violence this year has reached 24 – a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis.
Just days prior, Kylie Sanders, a Victorian woman, tragically died after being struck by a vehicle in Yarrawonga while reportedly attempting to intervene in a domestic dispute.
“It’s imperative that our elected officials and those seeking office move beyond mere acknowledgment and actively address this pervasive issue,” stated Scarlett Owens, a local resident involved in the demonstration.
Gordon Reid, Member of Parliament for Robertson, acknowledged the widespread concern, noting collaborative efforts between political parties and local government to pressure federal authorities towards meaningful change. He expressed a commitment to combating “this blight on our society.”
Concerns have been raised regarding Torrens’s prior history; he had previously avoided imprisonment and was under a community corrections order for violating an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) at the time of Griffin’s death. He was subsequently discovered deceased in his cell at Silverwater Correctional Complex, with authorities confirming the circumstances surrounding his passing were not considered suspicious.
“The news brings a complicated mix of emotions,” remarked a family member of Audrey Griffin, describing their feelings as “bittersweet.”
- 24 Australian women have died as a result of violence this year.
- Adrian Torrens was serving a community corrections order for breaching an AVO prior to the alleged murder of Audrey Griffin.
