Awful, awful news. Helen Haines is one of the nicest people you could ever meet. While this appears to be politically motivated violence, it is another attack on a woman in Australia, after more than 55 killings already this year through gender-based violence according to Australian Femicide Watch. That this is even a thing, requiring organisations to monitor the escalating trend, should be enough to mobilise major action. The level of misogyny, apparent hatred and violence against girls and women of all backgrounds is a national crisis, and should be confronted in that way. We need the political will to take meaningful action. Women’s rights groups point to a chronic inadequacy of funding, major gaps in services for women at risk and inadequate laws that fail to reflect the dangers and coercive behaviours women face in Australia today. Culture will only change when actions, policy and funding demonstrate the seriousness with which we take the issue of girl’s and women’s safety. Lots of love to Helen and family ❤️