NSW Police have revealed prisons are “full” of domestic violence offenders, with domestic violence accounting for one in four adult court appearances.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police Peter McKenna described domestic violence as the force’s “number one issue”.
McKenna said the challenge was confronting because none of the three women were before known to police as victims of domestic violence.
McKenna urged anyone with concerns about domestic violence to speak up.
The three women, aged 23, 70 and 90, were killed in separate incidents across NSW within about 10 hours on Saturday.
In Bondi, a 90-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed to death inside her unit, while a 23-year-old woman was fatally stabbed at a home in Kooringal, Wagga Wagga.
A 70-year-old woman was also found dead at a property in the Northern Tablelands after police were called to reports of a domestic violence incident.
Three men have been charged with murder over the deaths. Police allege the victims and accused were known to each other in the respective cases.
The weekend’s violence also included the death of a young boy following an alleged stabbing in the Blue Mountains, with two other children left fighting for life.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said the deaths could not be treated as “background noise”.
McKenna backed extending custody alerts for domestic violence victim-survivors, which are now being trialled across three NSW police districts.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.